Animals, plants and nature

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. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Environmental Scene Investigation: Any day during the month of January, except Fridays, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Children follow clues including tracks to discover the mystery animal. (847) 381-6592.

Snowshoe Rental at Spring Valley: Experience the beauty of the winter landscape and get in a workout at the same time by snowshoeing through Spring Valley, a 135-acre nature preserve located at 1111 E. Schaumburg Road.

Rentals are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. (847) 985-2100 or visit www.parkfun.com for more information.

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.

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.

Jan. 31

Microchip Your Pet Day: By appointment, Loving Care Animal Clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. $25 per pet. For appointment, call (847) 670-8488.

Feb. 2

Romantic rosy wreath class: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Create a wreath adorned with colorful dried roses, potpourri and raffia. Bring a glue gun. $30-$35. (847) 298-3500

Feb. 4

Hoffman Estates Animal Hospital information seminar: 8-8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1056 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates. Dr. Jeffrey House, a diplomate to the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners with a specialty in felines, presents, "Not Using the Litter Box?" Free, open to the public. R.S.V.P between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to (847) 310-8668.

Valentine bouquet: 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Make a Valentine creation using materials from the conservatory. $15-$20. (847) 298-3500.

Feb. 5

Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Art Gaga presents,"Wildflowers." All welcome.

Feb. 6

HARPS educational seminar on wild horses: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, Seahorse Palace at Woodland in Barrington Hills. Educational seminar on the wild horses of the Pryor Mountain range. Featuring Ginger Kathrens, an Emmy award-winning director and the author of "Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies" and "Cloud's Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns." $10 benefits The Cloud Foundation. For reservations, (847) 382-0503.

Feb. 7

The Unhuggables: 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 7, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. "Animals nobody loves," like bats, toads, spiders and snakes, will visit the library. For details or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Social birding: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 and 21, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Share conversation and snacks while watching the busy bird feeders. A short hike may be included, extra snacks welcome. (847) 381-6592.

Reseda Garden Cub: Saturday, Feb. 7, Red's Garden center. Program: "basic Garden Design/Gardening" by Gail Abbott. For information, (847) 358-5825.

Feb. 8

Winter survival: 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. See how animals survive the harsh winters and learn how early Americans weathered the winter. (847) 381-6592.

Feb. 9

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.

Feb. 10

Spring Flowering Shrubs for the Home Landscape: Feb. 10 and Feb. 12, 1100 E. Warrenville Road, suite 170, Naperville. Part of the Four Seasons Gardening program presented by University of Illinois Extension. $10. For information or to register, call (630) 955-1123.

Feb. 11

Garden Club of Mount Prospect: Meets 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Includes program on pruning shrubs and small trees given by Jennifer Hitchcock, certified arborist. Mary, (847) 635-62139, walk-ins welcome.

Feb. 18

Kayak and canoeing: 7:30-9 p.m. Thursdays beginning Feb. 19, Wheeling High School pool. $200 for 10 sessions. Visit www.ce214.org or call (847) 718-7700.

Feb. 19

Garden Club of Inverness: 9:30 a.m. Feb. 19, All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Pat Hollingsworth from RLS Landscape and Nursery in Elburn will speak about dividing outdoor gardens into floral rooms. All Gardeners are welcome. For information, call Carole at (847) 381-2727.

Scuba diving: 6:30-10 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Feb. 18, Wheeling High School pool. $135 for five sessions. Register at www.ce214.org or call (847) 718-7700.

Feb. 21

Social birding: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Share conversation and snacks while watching the busy bird feeders. A short hike may be included, extra snacks welcome. (847) 381-6592.

Feb. 22

Try snow shoeing: 1 p.m. Feb. 22, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Learn how to snowshoe the trails. Free loaners or bring your own. Reserve your snow shoes at (847) 381-6592.

Feb. 23

Reduce, reuse, recycle: 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 23, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Lean how you can become one of nature's caretakers. Includes hands-on activities and fun games. $15-$20. (847) 298-3500.

Feb 24

Ornamental Grasses: Feb. 24 or Feb. 26, 1100 E. Warrenville Road, suite 170, Naperville. Part of the Four Seasons Gardening program presented by University of Illinois Extension. $10. For information or to register, call (630) 955-1123.

Feb. 28

Agility classes for beginners: 10 a.m. Feb. 28, Agility Junkies, Lake Barringotn. Call (847) 381-2222 or w-mail agilityjunkies@aol.com.

This old birdhouse: 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Prepare for the upcoming nesting season by construction a bird house for a $5 fee per house. Plans and placement suggestion included. Register at (847) 381-6592.

March 3

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, March 3, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.

March 14

Indoor fishing and flea market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Rolling Meadows High School, 2901 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Sale of antique, collectible, used fishing tackle, close outs and overstocks, boat and marine merchandise, free seminar at 10:30 a.m. Hosted by the Rolling Meadows Choral Boosters and Chicagoland Muskie Hunters. Raffle and refreshments. Terri, (847) 870-8132.

March 30

Composting 101: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Find out how you can compost in your backyard to improve your soil and reap happy plants. $12-$15. (847) 298-3500.

April 4

Composting 101: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Find out how you can compost in your backyard to improve your soil and reap happy plants. $12-$15. (847) 298-3500.

April 6

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, April 6, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.

April 25

Midwest Bird Expo 2009: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, main hall, Dupage Country Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. midwestbirdexpo.com.

May 4

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, May 4, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.

June 2

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, June 2, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.

Aug. 3

Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights.