All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

SPECIAL

"BE AN ANGEL WITH PLANTS," free hourlong program on growing plants and flowers, suitable for all ages, featuring Angel Ramos, noted "Hawaiian National Treasure, gardener, and botanist for the former Kahuku Sugar Mill, 6:30 p.m., Sept. 30, Kahuku Public and School Library; free; 293-8935.

SAVING KIMO CONTEST, for keiki, grades K-5, submit a color drawing; grades 6-8, a color photograph or an essay; high school, two-minute video; enter by Sept. 30; info@diamondbakery.com.

MARINE DEBRIS AWARENESS lectures/film series, a partnership between Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai'i (B.E.A.C.H.) and the Hanauma Bay Education Program, on marine debris and the impact on marine life, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 2-30, Hanauma Bay theater; free; 393-2168 or www.b-e-a-c-h.org

YWCA CAMP SLOGGETT CLEAN-UP and overgrowth removal, daytime, Oct. 3-5, Koke'e, Kawa'i, with free accommodations for volunteers at Weinberg Bunkhouse or The Sloggett Lodge; families and all ages and abilities welcome (must provide own tools); 808-335-0710.

HALEAKALA NATIVE FOREST PLANTING, organized by The Maui Dryland Forest Restoration Group; Oct. 4; hiking boots required; bring rain gear, 2 liters of water, lunch, sunscreen, hat; details/exact location, call 808-573-8989; registration: auwahi@yahoo.com; information, www.lhwrp.org.

WORM COMPOSTING WORKSHOP; learn vermicomposting (recycling with earthworms); $30 fee includes mini-bin and starter colony of worms; 1 p.m. Oct. 5, Manoa Gardens Elderly Housing Community Center, 2790 Kahaloa Drive; registration: 382-0432, waikikiworm@hawaii.rr.com.

BE A GREENIE

MAKIKI WAI HELPERS, the O'ahu Na Ala Hele Trails and Access program and Hawai'i Nature Center need volunteers to weed, pick up branches, plant, water and fertilize native plants as part of Makiki WAI (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. fourth Sunday monthly; meet at Makiki forestry baseyard; 973-9782.

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, to perform beautification and maintenance work; tools, gloves and drinking water provided; wear shoes; 808-249-2798.

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; donations accepted; 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; free; 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, 264-1454.

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.