Lake County pets and nature

Events that involve pets and other animals, plants and nature, such as pet washes, adoption days, nature walks, microchipping, nature photography exhibits, nature tours, bird walks, calls for volunteers for nature-related work days, etc. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Oct. 2

Birding 101: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 2 and 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Stillman nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Class covers the basics of bird identification and introduction to the tools of the trade such as binoculars and field guides. $10; $15 nonmember fee. Required reading: "Finding Your Wings: by Burton Guttman. Bring the book with you. Registration required. (847) 428-6957.

Family Garden Day: 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Montessori Children's House of North Barrington. Students work with family and community members to beautify the school campus. For information, (847) 550-0917.

Oct. 3

Rescue reunion: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 25638 W. Chatham Road, Barrington. Hosted by Dalmatian Rescue of Illinois. Contact Joann, (773) 774-1519 or joannkk@hotmail.com.

Dog wash adoption event: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4, Hibard Road Gardens, Northfield. Hosted by Orphans of the Storm animal shelter. Cost is a donation to the shelter. Jackie, (847) 602-8508 or Steve, (630) 248-9241.

Blessing of the Animals: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 2101 E. Route 173, Antioch. Owners of all kinds of animals, from pets to farm livestock, can bring their creatures on a leash or in a trailer, cage or container for the service. For details or to register, call (847) 395-3474.

Pet blessing: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, St. Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Animals will receive a blessing from the Rev. Jane Clark. Pets must be in carriers or on leashes.

Oct. 4

Bless the Pets: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Peace Luthern Church, 1050 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Have pets blessed by the priest of the church. For information, call (815) 444-9203.

Animal Blessing: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, 125 W. Church St., Libertyville. There will be a special liturgy and blessing, a pet treat bake sale, giveaways for the pets and education booths provided by local pet adoption agencies. There will also be a collection of new or gently used stuffed animals to be donated to needy children. All dogs must be leashed and cats and other small animals must be in carriers or cages. For details, call (847) 362-2110.

Bird Banding open house: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Oct. 4, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Mark Spreyer measures, weighs and records data about resident and migratory birds. Free. (847) 428-6957.

Caretaker Meeting: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, Mundelein High School, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein. Spay and Stay's Caretaker Meeting will include a panel discussion titled "Getting Ready for Winter - housing, health, food/water" and a demonstration on how to build a warm winter shelter that's insulated and easy to make. RSVP to cdeen@spayandstay.org, or call (847) 289-4557.

Oct. 5

Lake County Audubon Society: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, Libertyville Village Hall, 118 W. Cook Ave., Libertyville. Ornithologist Mark Spreyer, executive director of the Stillman Nature Center presents "Who's Who of Owls." Free. Chris, (847) 362-5134.

Oct. 6

Four Seasons Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Nancy Schumm Burgess presents, "Pioneer Gardens, A History of Kitchen, Prairie and Home Gardens." Alena, (847) 438-3981.

Bird Walk: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Natural History Society of Barrington to observe resident and migrating birds. Meet in the parking lot. (847) 381-6592.

Oct. 7

Master Gardener training: Applications due Wednesday, Oct. 7; for training 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 8 through March 26, University of Illinois Extension office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake. Master Gardeners are volunteers who receive training in home horticulture topics, then donate 60 hours of time to the extension's horticulture program, including answering phone calls, staffing information booths, working with senior citizens, and giving presentations to gardening groups. For information or an application, call Sharon Yiesla, at (847) 223-8627.

Oct. 8

Read to Rover: 6:15-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Grades 1-5 can read to certified therapy dogs. No parents or siblings allowed in the room during the session. Registration required; sign up in person at the Ask Here desk. For details, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Native Seed Gardeners seed drives: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays; 3:30-5 p.m. Sundays, Citizens for Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers collect seeds from natural populations in the Barrington area. Visit NativeSeedGardeners.org.

Oct. 10

The Big Sit: 3 p.m.-sunset Saturday, Oct. 10, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. With the help of Prairie Woods Audubon, Stillman hosts the "Lazy Birder's" field trip. No walking required, sit by the late and let the birds come to you. Ages 10 and older. Free. (847) 428-6957.

Oct. 11

Orchid Mania: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. The Illinois Orchid Society presents their annual fall show. The show is open to the public free of charge; parking is $20; free for members of the Garden. A variety of orchids, supplies, and equipment will be for sale; bring an orchid for repotting for $5. Sales benefit the Illinois Orchid Society. For information, visit iosoc.com or call (224) 612-2152.

Oct. 11

Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 3 p.m.-dusk, Sunday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, South Barrington. "The Big Sit." Bring a folding chair, munchies and beverage and sit and count the bird species. Meet at the dock/picnic area. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.

Prairie Woods Audubon Society: 3 p.m.-dusk, Sunday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, South Barrington. "The Big Sit." Bring a folding chair, munchies and beverage and sit and count the bird species. Meet at the dock/picnic area. Cyndi, (847) 776-8713.

Tree I.D.: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Stillman's naturalist shows you how to identify our Midwestern trees. Easy to remember tips and simple handouts. Come prepared to be out in the weather. Free. (847) 428-6957.

Fall Forest Frenzy: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington, on Palatine Road, one mile west of Barrington Road. Discover the magic of fall color with the Great Leafdini, identify leaves by playing fall bingo and create your own leaf masterpiece to take home. Free, register at (847) 381-6592.

Oct. 12

Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club meets: Monday, Oct. 12, Reed Turner Nature Center, 3851 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Club offers gardening programs, events, projects and filed trip to all levels of gardeners. For information, call Ivy, (847) 800-5000.

Oct. 13

Bird Walk: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join the Natural History Society of Barrington to observe resident and migrating birds. Meet in the parking lot. (847) 381-6592.

Oct. 14

Wheeling Garden Club: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. Lori Hazelwood, Forester of the village of Wheeling, presents "Prepare Your Shrubs and Trees for the Winter." Business meeting follows the program. Public invited. Ken, (847) 537-8642.

Ongoing

Pooch Pantry: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Lake County Animal Control, 29278 N. Highway 83, Mundelein. Accepting donations of dry and canned dog and cat food, treats and domestic bird food; gift cards for PetSmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus; cat litter; resealable plastic bags; and pet welfare goods such as bowls and toys. The Pooch Pantry will be open for families in need from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For information, call (847) 566-1960.

Puppy Playtime: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Doggy Day Camp, Inc., 21212 W. Commercial Drive, Mundelein. Puppies 10 weeks to 6 months of age with proof of vaccinations can play with other puppies for free in a safe, off-leash environment. Puppies must be in good health and free from any contagious diseases within the past 30 days. Advance registration is required. For information, call (847) 970-6777 or visit DoggyDayCampInc.com.