September Water Bark at Spring Lake is back

BIRDING BASICS, SEPT. 2

Windsor: Families learn the basics of birding during a stroll through Foothill Regional Park, 1351 Arata Lane, 10 a.m. 12- p.m. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair at the park. Parking $7, free to regional Parks members. SonomaCountyParks.org.

ART IN THE PARK, SEPT. 2

Windsor: Artists work their magic beside a pond in Foothill Regional Park, 1351 Arata Lane, 1-3:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, art supplies provided. Parking $7. Call Alexis Puerto-Holmes 707-565-1246 for information. SonomaCountyParks.org.

SENIOR STROLLS, SEPT. 4

Santa Rosa: Seniors are invited to take a leisurely 2-mile stroll 10-11:30 a.m. along the accessible Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. All abilities welcome, Park free at the Highway 12 entrance to the trail.. Call Shelly Spriggs 707-483-0940.

BUILD TRAILS, SEPT. 7

Larkfield: Help LandPaths build hiking trails for educational and outing programs at the Riddell Preserve on Brack Road near Healdsburg 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tasks for all levels of experience and ability. Information at LandPaths.org.

PUBLIC HIKE, SEPT. 8

Santa Rosa: Take a moderate to strenuous 3-4-mile hike through forest and grassland 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Pepperwood Preserve, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy on the hike. For ages 10 and up. free, donations appreciated. Meet at the Dwight Center. pepperwoodpreserve.org.

WATER BARK, SEPT. 8-9

Santa Rosa: The woof is out. Leash-free, September Water Bark is back! Dogs swim, frolic and romp at the Spring Lake Regional Park swimming lagoon 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 entry fee for Regional Parks members, $7 for non-members plus $7 parking or non-members. Free treats and tennis balls for the first 300 dogs on Sept. 8 and free rally towels for drying after their swim. Other water bark dates are Sept. 16, 22-23 and 29-30. Photographer Julie Vader photographs your pup on Sept. 22-23. Details at SonomaCountyParks.org.

NATURE AND OPTICS FESTIVAL, SEPT. 8

Sonoma: Sonoma Barracks, 20 East Spain St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.The 8th annual event features 50 nature organizations and artists and 12 optics companies selling optic gear. Free. Visit sonomanature.org.

HOP FESTIVAL, SEPT. 8

Windsor: Pick hops and enjoy a baked ham lunch and home-made cobblers at the Windsor Historical Society and Museum's 8th annual Hop Harvest and Heritage Day, 12 p.m., 9225 Foxwood Drive. $15. Call 707-838-4563 for ticket information.

DRAGONFLY SURVEY, SEPT. 9

Santa Rosa: Spend the day finding dragonfly habitats in the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed, 9:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. Learn how to gently and safely catch, handle and release this exotic and colorful species. $25-$50 sliding fee, pre-registration required at lagunafoundation.org. Meet at the Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road.

WILDLIFE CAMERA WALK, SEPT. 9

Healdsburg: Join wildlife camera specialist Ginny Fifield on a 3-mile hike to look for signs of mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes and whether they were captured on two wildlife cameras at Modini Mayacamas Preserves on Pine Flat Road, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $20 per person, limit of 11 participants. Register at www.egret.org. Call 707-431-8184 ext. 503 for information or visit the Audubon Canyon Ranch website.

OLD GROVE FESTIVAL, SEPT. 15

Guerneville: Reserve tickets online for the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods annual outdoor concert and meal at the Redwood Forest Theater in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, 4:30-9 p.m. Performances by New Monsoon and the Kathy Kallick Band. Ticket sales are limited and this event sells out. Funds support stewardship and educational programs. Visit stewardscr.org.