All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

COMING UP

"A TALE OF TWO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: How the World Solved the Ozone Problem and Got Stuck in the Gridlock on the Climate Program," lecture by Dr. Susan Solomon, senior scientist with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, one of a University of Hawai'i-Manoa lecture series on climate science; 7:30 p.m. March 2, Manoa Architecture Building auditorium; 956-9252.

"Taape and Roi: The Visitors Who Never Left!" one of a series of March lectures, sponsored by the UH Sea Grant, Hanauma Bay Education Program, on the marine research facility, Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, 6:30 p.m. March 5; Hanauma Bay Education Center theater; free (free parking after 5:30 p.m.); 397-5840.I

GIRL SCOUT BROWNIE TROOP Eco-Explorer Badge "Try-It Day," to help fulfill badge requirements, through games, hikes and activities, 9-11 a.m., noon-2 p.m. or 2:30-4:30 p.m. March 7, Hawai'i Nature Center; $10 per Scout; 955-0100.

"PICTURING NATURE," a two-hour activity allowing participants to observe nature through a photographic slideshow set to music, or to express individual visions of nature in Makiki Valley's rainforest, through poetry, art or photography, 4-6 p.m. March 11, Hawai'i Nature Center; $20/parent /child team; 955-0100.

"COMPOSTING WITH WORMS," one of the "Growing Green" series of UH Outreach College, noncredit workshops on green practices at home and garden; 3-4:30 p.m. March 8; Olomana Gardens, Waimanalo; $20; registration/directions, 956-8400, www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit.

BE A GREENIE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for annual Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 2009 Whale Ocean Count, 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. March 28 at selected sites on O'ahu, Kaua'i and Big Island; no advance training required (except a free training session for Kaua'i site leaders); registration required: 397-2651, ext. 253 O'ahu, 888-55-WHALE (94253), ext. 253 Big Island, and 808-246-2860 Kaua'i.

2009 HUMPBACK WHALE MONTH OCEAN CONTEST, an art, poetry and short story contest for students K-8 by Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary; entries due noon March 4, Ocean Contest, 6600 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96825; 888-559-4253, www.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2009 KAUA'I GREEN GIANT AWARDS, offered by Rotary Club of Kapa'a, Kaua'i, for eco-friendly residents in a number of areas — solar, energy efficiency, recycling, travel, eco-activism and more; nomination essay deadline, April 1; Rodney Pascua, 808-482-0980, http://www.kapaarotary.org.

LYON ARBORETUM WORK DAYS, to weed and remove invasive plants with the facility's grounds crew, 8:30 a.m.-noon, first Saturdays, monthly; Ray Baker, 988-0455.

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.

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.

GREEN DRINKS, an informal networking for people in the environmental field, 5-9 p.m. first Tuesday of each month; Du Vin Restaurant, Chinatown; 351-2891.

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; 808-249-2798.

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

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.