All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

COMING UP

NORTHWEST HAWAIIAN ISLANDS informal discussion/wine/cheese reception: "Welcome to the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument," largest conservation area in the U.S., with Superintendent T. 'Aulani Wilhelm and state Co-Manager, Athline M. Clark, 7 p.m. Jan. 7, The Marks Garage, performance area; free; information, 521-2903.

PARENT/KEIKI WATER CONSERVATION WORKSHOP, hosted by city Board of Water Supply and Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden, for supervised children ages 4-10, with discussions, scavenger hunt, garden tour and children's reading, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Jan. 10, Halawa Xeriscape Garden; $5/per parent/keiki pair; registration, 748-5363.

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.

GREEN DRINKS, an informal networking group of people who work in the environmental field, active in 311 cities worldwide; 5-9 p.m. first Tuesday of each month; E&O Trading Co., Ward Centre; 351-2891.

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 rain forest; 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.