All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

SPECIAL

TRAIL GRANT PROGRAM, the American Hiking Society is offering grants up to $5,000 to help maintain hiking trails through its 2009 National Trails Fund; apply by Aug. 15; www.AmericanHiking.org.

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; 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, 2-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

GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK, fundraiser for local nonprofit Kanu Hawai'i, organized by Tanna and Bryson Dang, owners of The Wedding Cafe, with pupu, auctions, fashion show; 5:30 p.m. Aug. 12; Waterfront at Aloha Tower; $25 ($30 at the door) available at The Wedding Cafe; 988-1005 (Manoa Marketplace) and 591-1005 (Ward Warehouse).

"KILO NALU REEF OBSERVATORY: A WINDOW INTO HAWAI'I'S COASTAL ENVIRONMENT," with Geno Pawlak, part of the Hawaii Ocean Observing System lecture series; 6 p.m. Aug. 13; Outrigger Waikiki, Kalakaua Room; free; 956-6556, mworkman@hawaii.edu.

NORTH SHORE GREEN DRINKS, hosted by The HonuGuide with food and networking; 5-7 p.m. Aug. 14; Breakers Restaurant and Bar, Hale'iwa; free; www.honuguide.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.

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.