Garden calendar

Lecture

• Kevin Zippel presents a "Year of the Frog" lecture as part of The Amphibian Ark program that highlights how many amphibian species are threatened with extinction. Hear Zippel at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, 21950 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Free admission. www.lakecountyaudubon.org.

Workshops

• A discussion on spices throughout history is led by Patty and Tom Erd of the Evanston store Spice House. The lecture is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Chalet Education Center, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette. Lectures are free, and no registration is required. Call (847) 256-0561, ext. 225.

• Lake-to-Prairie Wild Ones presents a session on "The New Invaders" regarding spotting and removing exotic invasive species at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Call (847) 362-5134.

Chicago Botanic Garden

• The Model Railroad Garden hosts a "Trains, Tricks & Treats" Halloween Party to end the railroad garden season from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. Tickets are $5; $3 for kids under age 12.

• The second annual Student Research in Plant Biology and Conservation Symposium is on Saturday, Nov. 1. Cost is $99 (includes morning coffee and lunch). Call (847) 835-8261 to register.

• Kayri Havens leads a public lecture on Global Climate Change and Plant Conservation at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.

• A Farmers' Market is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Admission is free, but parking costs $15. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.

Morton Arboretum

• The Fall Color Festival runs through Sunday, Oct. 26.

• The Fox Valley African Violet Society Show is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

The Morton Arboretum is at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Call (630) 968-0074 or visit mortonarb.org. Admission costs $6-$9; $5-$8 for seniors and $4-$6 for kids.

- Scott C. Morgan