Animals and plants

To have an event listed in this calendar, e-mail the details at least two weeks in advance of the event or registration deadline to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com. Please put "Animals and plants" in the subject line.

Citizens for Conservation seed collection: Thursdays and Saturdays 9 -11 a.m.; and Sundays 3:30-5 p.m., 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers of all ages are invited to help collect seeds from a wide variety of native plants. (847) 382-7283.

Stillman Nature Center: Volunteers are being sought to help in a variety of areas including, landscape maintenance, birds of prey and more. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildblue.net.

"Goosetopia": During business hours through September, Visitor Center at James Philip "Pate" State Park, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. Canada goose photography exhibit looking at how Canada geese respond to the changing environment throughout Illinois at the suburbs. Contribute to the traveling exhibit by submitting an 8 1/2 by 11 horizontal shot of a goose printed on decent paper, along with a statement of where the goose was photographed and what was going on, and bring it to the Bartlett Nature Center before the exhibit moves on. For information about the exhibit or the Bartlett Nature Center, call (847) 608-3100.

Corvette raffle: Field of Dreams Horse Rescue and Adoption has teamed up with Guardian Angel Basset Rescue to raffle off a 1961 Corvette Roadster. Tickets are $10 each, ticket packages also available. For information visit www.fodhra.org. Drawing Sept. 21.

Four Paws calendars: Four Paws Animal Foundation is now selling 2009 calendars for $12.50, which depict some of the organization's rescues as well as family pets as a fundraiser to help support their adoption and rescue efforts. Order forms for the calendars can be obtained at Banbury Fair and Heartland Animal Hospital, both in Bartlett; Hanover Park Animal Care Center; and Health Emporium in Streamwood. Forms can also be downloaded from www.fourpawsfoundation.petfinder.com.

Sept. 20

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards workdays: 9 a.m.-noon, Sept. 20 and 28, shoe Factory Woods Forest Preserve parking lot, west side of Route 59, between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed; come when you can. Activities include seed collection and brush control For information, call (847) 836-7443 or www. poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Autumn Container Garden: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20; Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Create a container garden for the fall season with mums, kale, purple grasses, and maybe a decorative cabbage ­- all in a clay pot with the right type of soil. Peggy Garvin will bring everything needed for a $15 supply fee. Class is limited to 26 participants. Register early. (847) 259-6050

South Barrington Pet Fair: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 20, Marvin Dunteman Park, corner of Witt and Penny roads, South Barrington. Includes a pet store specializing in pet outfits, animal massage therapy, animal communicator, adopt-a-pet, doggy treat bakery, dog trainers, day care providers, contest for your pet, prizes, give-a-ways and more. For information, call Sheena, (847) 381-7515, ext. 48 or Denise, (847) 381-2570, ext. 45.

Grisby Prairie tour: 8-9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, parking area on the north side of Oak Knoll Road just east of Buckley Road, Barrington Hills. Walkers will see late blooming wildflowers and tall prairie grasses. Learn how to bring native plants back to thier full glory. For reservations, (847) 382-7283.

Sept. 21

Pond life: 2 p.m. Sept. 21, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. With the help of long-handled dip nets, visitors will scoop into the pond in hoped of catching crayfish, dragonfly larvae, tadpoles and other pond inhabitants. Dress in clothes and shoes you don't mind getting muddy. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildblue.net.

Four Paws Animal Foundation information booth: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Ontarioville Arts Festival, Jubilee Park, Hanover Park. Information on adopting a pet, calendar sales.

Prairie Woods Audubon: 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, Illinois Beach State Park, Zion. Search for fall migrants while enjoying the colors of early autumn. Meet at the North Unit parking lot: Turn east on 17th Street from Sheridan Road and follow the entrance to the last parking lot closest to the beach. Or meet at 2 p.m. at the Bank of Palatine parking lot, Southeast corner of Northwest Highway and Plum Grove Road, Palatine, to carpool.

Friday, Sept. 26

South Barrington Foundation bulb sale: 9 a.m.-noon pickup Saturday, Oct. 4, South Barrington Community Center, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. Orders due before Friday, Sept. 26. Pick up order form at the South Barrington Park District, the South Barrington Club, or the South Barrington village hall. or order online at www.sbpd.net. for information, e-mail Paula at treblig12@aol.com.

Sept. 27

Fishing derby: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 27, Plum Grove Reservoir, Algonquin Road by Harper College. Palatine Park District host this fishing derby for all ages. Includes awards, raffle, concessions. Participants 16 and over must have a fishing license, which can be purchases at the salmon Shop, 111 S. Northwest Highway, Palatine. For information, call the park district at (847) 991-0333.

Blessing of the animals: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 119 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg.

Pet blessing service, presentation of pet health by Canine Companions. www.lord-of-life.org or (847) 895-8877.

Adventures in Nature - Seeds: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Help pick seeds from the Savanna to restore the prairie and see what CFC does with the seeds after picking. (847) 382-7283.

Muddy Paws Dog Rescue Dog Days: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, 20429 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Pooch and parent spa day, pet supply vendors; dog rescue adoptions, Illinois Humane Society information booth, Pet contests, demos, animal portrait artist, more. Bring you dogs. For a complete listing of events and times visit, muddypawsrescue.com.

Sept. 28

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards workdays: 9 a.m.-noon, Sept. 28, shoe Factory Woods Forest Preserve parking lot, west side of Route 59, between Golf and Shoe Factory roads, Hoffman Estates. No experience needed, activities include seed collection and brush control For information, call (847) 836-7443 or www. poplarcreekprairiestewards.org.

Great Western Bike Trail: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28; Des Plaines Park District offers a day trip to the Great Western Bike Trail and Historic Sycamore. Hike or bike along 17 miles at the LeRoy Oaks Forest Preserve Trail, Ferguson Creek, through the only native colony of Speckled Alders, and the Great Western Trail. Lunch and wine tasting at the Sycamore Winery is included. Shop at the Farmer's Market. Trip departs from and returns to the Lake Park Clubhouse. Residents: $39; nonresidents, $48. For details or to register, call (847) 391-5700 or visit www.desplainesparks.org.

Oct. 1

Learn natural lawn care: Wednesday, Oct. 1; Thursday, Oct. 2; Friday, Oct. 3. Emphasizes building healthy soil, encouraging soil biology, selecting the right grass, watering and more. Featured Speaker Chip Osborne, president of Osborne Organics. $75-$100 includes meals and materials. www.spcpweb.org/training.

Oct. 4

Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 4, Volkening Lake, Schaumburg. Meet new friends and get a workout for you and your pooch. First 60 dogs receive a free bandanna to wear home. Dogs must have current shots, and records should be attached to the registration form. Residents: $1 per person/$4 per dog. Nonresidents: $2 per person/$6 per dog. www.parkfun.com or call (847) 490-7020.

Prairie State Cat Club: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5, The Center at North Park, 10040 W. Addison St., Franklin Park. The International Cat Association will present and compete for regional and international awards at the Prairie State Cat Club annual Fall harvest Allbreed and Household Pet Cat show. $5; $3 seniors; $2 children. Free parking. (630) 697-8716 or (847) 590-1947. www.pscc-tica.org.

Palatine Park District Fall Festival: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, Palatine Stables, 1510 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Learn more about horses and life at the stable, pony rides, wagon rides, crafts, activities, pumpkins for sale and concessions. Free admission, fee for some activities. All ages, no dogs allowed. (847) 359-0009.

Four Paws Animal Foundation bake sale/family pet contest: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. contest registration; 1 p.m. judging, Saturday Oct. 4, Hoosier Grove Park, Irving Park Road, 1/4 mile east of Route 59, Streamwood. Held in conjunction with the Streamwood Park District's Pumpkin Fest. Includes home bakes goods, fundraising calendar sales, category pet contests. (630) 289-0478 for information. Proceeds benefit the foundation's adoption/rescue efforts.

Oct. 5

Raptor Sunday: 1-3 p.m. Oct. 5, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Meet up-close the great horned and screech owls plus a peregrine falcon and broad winged hawk. Kids will have a chance to dissect owl pellets. Bring a camera. $5 per car. (847) 428-6957. www.stillmannc.org.

Oct. 7

Read to Rover: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuedsays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Children in grades two-five experience reading to special therapy dogs. Registration required. To reserve a 15-minute reading slot, register in person at the Reader Assistance Desk. For Palatine Pulbic Library District cardholders only.

Oct. 11

The Big Sit: 3 p.m. until sunset Oct. 11, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. With the help of Prairie Woods Audubon, Stillman will host the "Lazy Birder's" field trip. No walking is required, just sit by the lake and let the birds come to you. Over age 10. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildblue.net.

Adventures in Nature- Habitat House hunt: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. All living creatures need a habitat that provides them with essentials of survival. Children will be the "real estate agents" for creatures looking for a house on the Savanna. (847z) 382-7283.

Oct. 12

Tree I.D. or This Bud's for You: 2 p.m. Oct. 12, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Join Stillman's naturalist and learn to identify some of our Midwestern trees. Come prepared to be out in the weather. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillnc@wildbird.net.

Oct. 16

Anti-Cruelty Society chef-tasting fundraiser: 6:30-10 p.m., Thrusday, Oct. 16, 510 N. LaSalle, Chicago. Local celebrity chefs, auctions, goodie bag. $125 in advance; $140 at the door. Reservations at (312) 751-5507.

Oct. 17

Adventures in Nature-night walk: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Citizens for Conservations office, 459 W. Highway 22, South Barrington. Take a family walk on the Savanna at night. Children must be accompanied by an adult, bring a flashlight. Free. (847) 382-7283.

Oct. 18

Party with the stars: 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 18, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Bring the family and check out lunar landscapes, the moons of Jupiter and other celestial wonders with the help of telescopes provided by members of Northwest Suburban Astronomers. Bring a flashlight. Free. (847) 428-6957.

Oct. 25

Palatine Park's Howl-O-Ween party: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Ost Field, on Colfax, behind the Community Center, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine. Bring your canine friends, trick-or-treating, photo opportunity, Howling House of Terrier, pooch costume parade. When registering, dog owners must show a current rabies tab. All dogs must be kept on a leash. For information or to register, (847) 991-0333.

Saturday, Nov. 15

Adventures in Nature-Who's Been Here?: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Explore the Savanna and look for clues to see who has been there by what was left behind. (847) 382-7283.

Nov. 30

Yule Log open house: 2-4 p.m. Nov. 30, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Susan Allman will show you how to make this festive seasonal decoration out of natural materials. Kids are welcome but no scout groups please. Advance registration required. Member's free; $2 nonmembers. Call (847) 428-6957.

Saturday Dec. 6

Adventures in Nature-holiday crafts: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday Dec. 6, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Children can make a variety of present for family members. (847) 382-7283.

Jan. 1

New Year's Day walk: 10 a.m. Jan. 1, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, Barrington. Walk along Stillman's trails and view nature. Over age 10. (847) 428-6957.