Lake Co. pets & plants calendar

Events that involve pets, animals and plants, 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.

Dec. 20

Lake Zurich Christmas Pageant: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church, 60 Quentin Road, Lake Zurich. "The Giftgiver" features animals, new songs, costumes, dramatic narration, puppetry, special effects and more. Tickets are $10 each. Visit qrbbc.org.

Dec. 26

Spring Valley Winter Break Camp: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday Dec. 26; Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Learn about winter ecology. Activities include tracking animals, looking for birds, learning about snow, snowshoeing and more. For ages 7-10. Sack lunches and appropriate dress required. (847) 985-2100.

Through Dec. 31

Pies to support Fortunate Pooches: Through Dec, 31. When patrons buy cream cheese pies at thepiesthelimit.com and mark the FPALR box, 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Fortunate Pooches and Lab Rescue, Inc., 145 E Sayton Road, Fox Lake, a no-kill animal shelter.

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.

Jan. 6

Moon Over Wauconda: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. The Lake County Astronomical Society will set up high-powered telescopes and star charts to point the way to different constellations. Warm up with hot cocoa and cookies in the library's Lincoln Room. Registration is required; call (847) 526-6225.

Jan. 7

Agility classes for beginners: 7 p.m. Jan. 7 Agility Junkies, Lake Barrington. agilityjunkies.com or (847) 381-2222.

Jan. 10

Of Bogs and Books: 10-11:30 a.m., the second Saturday of each month, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Adults share morning coffee and snacks over a discussion of nature, science and environmental readings. On Jan. 10, discuss "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - and How It Can Renew America" by Thomas L. Friedman and choose spring selections. On Feb. 14, discuss "Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators" by William Stolzenburg. Reservations are requested but drop-ins are welcome. Call (815) 344-1294.

Jan. 11

Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Sundays, Jan. 11 and March 15, and Saturdays, Feb. 7 and March 28, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Enjoy migrating birds in a variety of habitats. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walk length and time varies. Geared to adults, although attentive kids 7 and up are welcome. Meet in the Parking Lot. Reservations are requested. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

Jan. 12

Gardeners of Central Lake County: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Evangelical Free Church on southeast corner of Garfield and Austin avenues, Libertyville. Establishing a Prairie Garden will be program given by Mark Scales. Call Susan at (847) 816-8007.

Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club meets: Monday, Jan. 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.

Feed the birds this winter: noon-3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Children make a bird feeder using a pinecones, peanut butter and birdseed. Library staff will be on hand to help. (847) 358-5881.

Jan. 15

Lincolnshire Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Kristi Robinson will speak about general principles of landscape design. Call Jan Stefans at (847) 945-6575.

Jan. 16

Astronomy Nights: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 16 and Feb. 20, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. The Lake County Astronomical Society meets the third Friday of each month except December. 7:30 p.m. business meeting is followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear about 9:30 p.m. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

Feb. 7

Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 7 and March 28 and Sunday March 15, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Enjoy migrating birds in a variety of habitats. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walk length and time varies. Geared to adults, although attentive kids 7 and up are welcome. Meet in the Parking Lot. Reservations are requested. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

Feb. 20

Astronomy Nights: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. The Lake County Astronomical Society meets the third Friday of each month except December. 7:30 p.m. business meeting is followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear about 9:30 p.m. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

March 15

Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 15, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Enjoy migrating birds in a variety of habitats. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walk length and time varies. Geared to adults, although attentive kids 7 and up are welcome. Meet in the Parking Lot. Reservations are requested. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

March 28

Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Saturday, March 28, Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Enjoy migrating birds in a variety of habitats. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walk length and time varies. Geared to adults, although attentive kids 7 and up are welcome. Meet in the Parking Lot. Reservations are requested. For information, call (815) 344-1294.

Ongoing

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.

Nippersink Garden Club: A new garden club is forming to serve northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Members of the Nippersink Garden Club are coming together because of the love of gardening and the love of the Nippersink Creek area and waterways. Membership is open to all interested men, women and their children. Membership will be free and 2009 meetings are yet to be determined. Visit nippersinkgardenclub.org or contact Stacy at (262) 279-5992 for details.