All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

Coming up

"OUR VANISHING FLORA: WHY YOU NEED TO GET INVOLVED," talk by Kathryn Kennedy, national president of Center for Plant Conservation, sponsored by the Garden Club of Honolulu; 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12, Catholic Charities' Makiki campus, 1822 Ke'eaumoku St., community hall; 373-1973.

"GARDEN GREEN HOUR," outdoor green activities for families, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through Dec. 10, Wahiawa Botanical Garden; 621-5463.

"EARS IN THE SEA," Marc Lammers, assistant researcher for the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, UH-Manoa, will talk about "What Listening to Shrimp, Fish and Whales Can Tell Us About Their World"; 6 p.m. Nov. 12, Outrigger Waikiki, Kalakaua Room; Marcie Grabowski, 956-6556 or mworkman@hawaii.edu.

POUHALA MARSH RESTORATION, removing invasive species and creating habitat for endangered Hawaiian stilts; 8:30-11:30 a.m. Nov. 15; Hawai'i Nature Center; bring work gloves, drinking water, hat, sunscreen and covered-toe shoes; Pauline Kawamata, 955-0100, ext. 18, or volunteer@hawaiinaturecenter.org.

HI-5¢ RECYCLING DRIVE, 9 a.m.2 p.m., Nov. 15, Leilehua High School parking lot; donations of HI-5¢ cans and bottles benefit the senior class and Project Graduation 2009; 542-1793.

HALAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN, the hours were extended this week to 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, 99-1268 Iwaena St. (with free garden tours, and landscaping and conservation workshops for adults and keiki on Saturdays; free garden mulch); weekday tours by appointment; 748-5041; www.boardofwatersupply.com.

LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE FAMILY FUN FAIR, with "green" exhibits and activities, drive-through recycling drop-off (cans, bottles, printer cartridges, cell phones, laptops, clothing, etc.), car show with energy-efficient models, local food market, "Discovery Square" hands-on learning activities, cooking demonstrations and food, entertainment, arts and crafts, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 15, on campus; 455-0524.

"GARBAGE INTO GOLD ... BACKYARD COMPOSTING," hands-on workshop, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 15, The Green House, 224 Pakohana St., Pauoa; $15; registration, 524-8427, www.thegreenhousehawaii.com.

"PLUMS INTO PRUNES!" dehydrating workshop, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 15; The Green House; $15; registration, 524-8427, www.thegreenhousehawaii.com.

"RACE TO SAVE THE PLANET," Leilani Munter, NASCAR record holder, and her "Leilani's Eco Dream Team" are offering several environmental events; 593-0255:

be a greenie

FREE GARDEN MULCH, available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Halawa Xeriscape Garden; self-service, bring containers and shovel; 748-5041, www.boardofwatersupply.com.

WAIMEA VALLEY GREETER: Volunteers needed one day a week for 2 1/2 hours; 638-7733.

WEED AND POT CLUB: Maui Nui Botanical Garden's Weed & Pot Club meets 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului, Maui, to do beautification and maintenance work; tools, gloves, drinking water provided; wear shoes; 249-2798.

NATIONAL GARDEN HELP: Protect rare plants and ecosystems by volunteering at National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kaua'i; help needed in administration, conservation, education, development and more; 808-332-7324, ext. 228, or volunteer@ntbg.org.

Niaulani nature walk, guided tour through an old-growth forest; 9:30 a.m. Mondays; from Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Niaulani Forest WorkDay: Volunteer to preserve the beauty and diversity of the rainforest; 9 a.m.-noon, third Sunday of each month; Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222.

TUESDAYS AT KANAHA, weekly beach cleanup and plant maintenance, coordinated by Community Pride at Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays, at the park; Valerie Vines Magee, 808-264-1454.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, volunteers needed to weed; pick up branches; and plant, water and fertilize native plants as part of Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., fourth Saturday of each month; 973-9782.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: For the Environment, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "For the Environment" in the subject line. Deadline is 10 days before the event.