Animal Feeding Toddler Time: Feed a guinea pig, duck and hamster their morning treats and find out what snacks they like best. Create a snacking friend too. For ages 1-3 and their caregiver. $8 per child and $3 for siblings. Times: 11:45 a.m. Feb. 4, 10-10:45 a.m. Feb. 16, 10-10:45 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-noon Feb. 19 and 10-10:45 a.m. Feb. 27. Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D St., Hayward. Registration required. 510-881-6700.

Furry Friends Fundraiser: Purchase Pet Food Express "pet wash" tokens from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 and use them year round at any Pet Food Express location. The event will also have dog and cat adoptions, a Doggie Kissing Booth, music, Valentine treats and a "Cutest Dog Valentine Contest" at 2 p.m. Pet Food Express, 39010 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. 510-713-9999, www.furryfriendsrescue.org/events.

Benefit for Valley Humane Society: Enjoy a crab dinner while helping out the Valley Humane Society. Includes fresh cracked crab, pasta Caesar salad, bread, dessert and coffee or tea with a no host bar of wine, beer and soft drinks. 6-10 p.m. Feb. 9. 11600 Shannon Ave., Dublin. $50. www.valleyhumane.org, 925-323-8517.

Fish Feeding Time: Get close to crabs, flounder, perch, pipefish and more -- while they eat. 3-3:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Crab Cove Visitor Center, 1252 McKay Alameda. 510-433-3187, ccove@ebparks.org.

Minus Tide Exploration: Explore for animals in the lowest tide zones, then warm up with hot cider. Bring a flashlight and jacket. Rain cancels. 4:30-6 p.m. Feb. 10. Crab Cove Visitor Center, 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. 888-327-2757, www.ebparksonline.org.

Ohlone Humane Society: Meets 7-9 p.m. Feb. 12. Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. www.ohlonehumanesociety.org.

Wild Valentines: This special, family-friendly presentation explores how wild animals find mates, raise families and "love." Noon-5 p.m. Feb. 14-15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 16-17 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18. Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. Free with cost of admission. $7 adults, $5 kids. 925-935-1978.

The Great Backyard Bird Count: Birdwatchers of all ages are invited to participate in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are. Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see during their count period (Feb. 15-18) then enter these numbers at www.birdsource.org. A free GBBC account must be set up to submit a checklist. If you do not wish to submit your observations on the Internet, take your tally sheets to Wild Birds Unlimited, 692 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill and they will relay the data.

Family Nature Hour: Kids ages 5 and older learn about the world around them with stories, games and activities. Each class covers a different topic. 2-3 p.m. Feb. 16: Reptiles. Parent participation required. Coyote Hills Visitor Center, 8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont. 510-544-3220, chvisit@ebparks.org.

Wild Kenya: Learn about Maasai culture and Kenya's wildlife with Salaton Ole Ntutu. He will describe growing up as a Maasai boy to become a warrior, healer and community leader and how he is protecting the environment for wild animals now. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. Free with cost of admission. $7 adults, $5 kids. 925-935-1978.

Little Farmers: An after-school farm adventure for ages 5-7, accompanied by an adult. No younger siblings. 3-5 p.m. Feb. 20. Tilden Nature Area, Environmental Education Center, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley. $8. 888-327-2757, www.ebparksonline.org.

Trout basics: Learn the basics of trout fishing including gear selection, tackle and rigging, fish behavior and bait selection. The course is designed for those who have experience fishing but want additional knowledge specifically about trout fishing. Valid California fishing license required for ages 16 and older. Parent participation required for kids ages 5-15. 8-10 a.m. Feb. 23. Shadow Cliffs, 2500 Stanley Blvd., Pleasanton. $21 adults, $19 child. 888-327-2757, www.ebparksonline.org.

Fish feeding time: Get close to crabs, flounder, perch, pipefish and more -- while they eat. 3-3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Jan.-Feb. Crab Cove Visitor Center, 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. 510-544-3187, ccove@ebparks.org.

Storytime and nature fun: Kids meet characters like the Lorax, hermit crabs and "Swimmy the Fish" through stories, then have fun with live animals, crafts, scavenger hunts and nature videos. 11 a.m. Sundays, Jan.-Feb. Crab Cove Visitor Center, 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. 510-544-3187, ccove@ebparks.org.

Monarch Butterfly Walks: Tour Ardenwood's monarch overwintering site on an easy stroll of less than a mile. Search for clusters of butterflies hanging from eucalyptus branches and learn about their migration. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through January. Ardenwood, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. 888-327-2757, www.ebparksonline.org.

Animal Feeding at Ardenwood: Check for eggs, bring hay to the livestock and learn the animals' favorite foods. 3 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. 510-544-2797, www.ebparks.org.

V-I-Peek programs: New programs at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum offer a behind-the-scenes opportunity to see what it's like to work with their unique collection of animals. Eagle Encounter: Learn from eagle handlers what it's like to work with these birds, help prepare a meal and get premium seating for the exhibit hall presentation of Raptors! Keeper Experience: Meet resident animal ambassadors (reptile, bird and mammal) up close and personal and help animal keepers prepare meals, create enrichment activities and assist with a public presentation. Space is limited. Participants must be 10 years or older and advanced registration is required. $175 per person; $150 members. $275 per guardian/child combination; $250 members. 925-935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.

SOUTH BAY

Wog n' Wag: Join Furry Friends Rescue at the San Francisco Marathon Wog n' Wag from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 10. The free event will also have a dog adoption showcase, doggy kissing booth and baked treats for dogs from Okashi Bakery. Meet at Running Revolution, 511 East Campbell Ave., Campbell. www.furryfriendsrescue.org/events.

Backyard Birdhouse: Learn how to build a successful birdhouse with Mike Azevedo, county coordinator for Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society's cavity nester recovery program. He will also share the efforts of the Audubon Society and others in the community to restore bird populations through cavity nesting programs. 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 23. Guadalupe Visitor and Education Center, 438 Coleman Ave., San Jose. Space limited. $15. $10 members. 408-298-7657, www.grpg.org.

Fishing in the City: Learn to fish clinics teach the basics of fishing to children and adolescents ages 5-15. Equipment and tackle are provided. There is no charge for the clinics but there may be a park entrance fee. Each adult may bring two children; a driver's license is required for a rod loan. For information, email erotman@dfg.ca.gov.

Dog Book Reading Club: Do you love dogs? Want to learn more about their behavior, training, learning, body language, and using positive training methods? The Humane Society Silicon Valley Dog Book Reading Club meets from 2-4 p.m. fourth Sundays monthly to discuss a different book. 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. Free. 408-262-2133, www.hssv.org.

NORTH BAY

Birds at Rush Creek: See ducks in breeding plumage, shorebirds, raptors and many species of land birds. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 10. Meet at the Pinheiro Fire Road gate on Binford Road, Novato. Wear appropriate footwear. Adults only.

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival: Featuring more than 60 events including an art show, bird watching, guided trip to Skaggs Island for raptor viewing, boat trip on the Napa River and more. Feb. 8-10, Mare Island. All events are free. Schedule: www.sfbayflywayfestival.com.

Butterflies of San Francisco: Liam O'Brien, Bay Area lepidopterist, will discuss the easy ways to identify the 34 breeding species of butterfly within San Francisco, as well as plants that gardeners can grow to enhance their life cycles and restore native habitats. 7-8 p.m. Feb. 11. Sunset Branch Library, 1305 18th Ave.

My Furry Valentine:

Sex in the Animal Kingdom: Zookeeper and Naturalist Patrick Schlemmer shows pictures and describes the array of odd mating habits in the animal world. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Randall Museum Theater, 199 Museum Way. Adults only. www.sfns.org, 415-225-3830.

AROUND THE STATE

State Fish and Game Commission: Meets at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 6, 1416 Ninth St., Sacramento. fgc@fgc.ca.gov.

Animal Care Conference: Co-sponsored by CACDA, CVMA and the State Humane Association. Feb. 24-26, Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J. St. ehughes@californiastatehumane.org, 510-525-2772.

Yolo Basin Wildlife Area: Tour the 16,000-acre wildlife area with an experienced field trip leader. View flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, look for migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. 9 a.m.-noon, second Saturdays monthly, through April. www.yolobasin.org/events.cfm.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Guided Wetlands Tours: A wildlife naturalist will lead a group (minimum of 18 people) through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Learn wildlife identification and behavior patterns, conservations efforts and more. The experience can be customized to include requested information, along a half-mile walking route. For information and scheduling, call 530-846-7505 or email ldieter@dfg.ca.gov. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/graylodge/index.html.

Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve docent-led walks: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Binoculars and bird books available to borrow at no cost. Visitor Center and main overlook are fully accessible. Day use is $4.32 per person, ages 16 and older. Groups of 10 or more should schedule a separate tour. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region4/elkhorn.html.

MOBILE ADOPTION SITES

Contra Costa County Animal Services