All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

SPECIAL

HAWAI'I OCEAN GUARDIAN KID'S CLUB AND CONTEST, part of the 2008 International Year of the Reef; contest open to students in grades K-8; enter by Aug. 29; http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education.

SAVING KIMO CONTEST, for keiki: K-5, a color drawing; grades 6-8, a color photograph or an essay; high school, two-minute video. Winners can get individual and class prizes from Atlantis Adventures, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Sea Life Park and more; enter by Sept. 30; info@diamondbakery.com.

COMING UP

HAWAI'I AUDUBON SOCIETY PROGRAM MEETING, featuring Joap and Heather Eijzenga speaking about the Offshore islets of O'ahu; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18; University of Hawai'i-Manoa St. John building room 11; 528-1432, www.hawaiiaudubon.com.

WAIALUA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION RECYCLING CLEANUP PROJECT, will accept scrap metal, pipes, metal appliances, car parts, bicycles, lawn mowers, newspapers, cardboard, beverage containers, tires (passenger tires only, 4 per household), car batteries and more; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 23; WCA Historic Haleiwa Gym; 306-1876, 285-3876.

NATIVE FOREST PLANTING, the Maui Dryland Forest Restoration Group is holding a planting trip to the Auwahi native forest enclosure. Hiking boots required; bring raingear, 2 liters of water, lunch, sunscreen and hat; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 23; meet at 'Ulupalakua Ranch Store. Reservations mandatory: 808-573-8989, auqahi@yahoo.com.

MAKIKI WAI HELPERS, the O'ahu Na Ala Hele Trails and Access program and the Hawai'i Nature Center need volunteers to weed, pick up branches, plant, water and fertilize native plants as part of the Makiki WAI, or Watershed Awareness Initiative, forest restoration project. Bring long pants, long-sleeved shirt, shoes or boots, gloves, insect repellent, water and lunch, families welcome; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 23; meet at the Makiki forestry baseyard; 973-9782.

POUHALA MARSH RESTORATION, the Hawai'i Nature Center is restoring the largest remaining wetland in Pearl Harbor. Volunteers are needed to pull pickleweed and mangrove. Bring work gloves, water, hat, sunscreen, towel and change of clothes; covered footwear and long pants required; 8:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 23; Pouhala Marsh, Waipahu; 955-0100, ext. 18.

EXPLORING OCEAN THROUGH ART, presented by the UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program where local artists will exhibit their art and share their inspiration; 6-9 p.m. Aug. 23; Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Theater; 397-5840, www.soest.hawaii.edu/SEAGRANT/education/HBEP.

WORM COMPOSTING WORKSHOP, recycle with earthworks, learn to vermicompost; 1 p.m. Aug. 24; Manoa Gardens Elderly Housing Community Center; $30; register: 382-0432, waikikiworm@hawaii.rr.com.

BE A GREENIE

WAIMEA VALLEY GREETER; volunteers needed one day a week for 2 1/2 hours. Kelly Perry at 638-7766, ext. 203.

WEED & POT CLUB; Maui Nui Botanical Garden's Weed & Pot Club meets 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at 150 Kanaloa Ave. in Kahului to perform beautification and maintenance work; tools, gloves and 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; meet at Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village; donations accepted; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Niaulani Forest Work Day, 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; free; 808-967-8222.

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.