The briefs

National Public Lands Day

The Schaumburg Park District's Spring Valley Nature Center will offer a taste of local environmental volunteerism as part of National Public Lands Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Volunteers will collect native prairie plant seed, which will be dried, cleaned and used to replant additional acres of native prairie in Schaumburg's parks and nature preserves. Participants will receive a free packet of native wildflower seed. All ages welcome; reservations required. (847) 985-2100.

D.A.R. American history essay contest

The Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughter of the American Revolution, is sponsoring an American History Essay Contest for fifth- through eighth-graders in Barrington and surrounding area public, private and parochial school, including the home schooled. The topic is "The Ideals of the Gettysburg Address." Interested teachers and students should call Cathy Campagna, Signal Hill Chapter historian, at (847) 846-9937, for contest rules. Deadline for entries is Dec. 15.

Women's art display closes on Tuesday

The Northwest Cultural Council Exhibit, "Women of Inspiration," a collaborative show between members of the Book and Paper Arts Guild and the Collage Sisthars, will be open one final day on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The exhibition, which features sculpture, mixed-media, collage and fiber pieces, will be open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. The gallery is located at 500 N. Hicks Road, Suite 120, Palatine. For more information, call Kathy Umlauf at (847) 991-7966.