All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

COMING UP

EARTH HOUR, 8:30-9:30 p.m. (Hawai'i time), March 28, joining cities worldwide that will be switching off their lights for an hour, a global initiative to demonstration effective action on global warming; 847-3511.

ANNUAL HAWAIIAN ISLAND HUMPBACK 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: 888-55-WHALE (94253).

"GETTING TO KNOW YOUR KANE'OHE NEIGHBOR: The Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology and Coconut Island," one of a series of March lectures, sponsored by the UH Sea Grant, Hanauma Bay Education Program; 6:30 p.m. March 26; Hanauma Bay Education Center theater; free (free parking after 5:30 p.m.); 397-5840.

"MARCH TO THE MARSH," special Pouhala Marsh volunteer restoration and work day by Coastal America, including removing invasive species and creating habitat for endangered Hawaiian stilts; 8:30-11:30 a.m. March 28; Hawai'i Nature Center, Waipahu; bring work gloves, drinking water, hat, sunscreen and covered-toe shoes; Pauline Kawamata, 955-0100, ext. 18, or volunteer@hawaiinaturecenter.org.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP for farmers, beekeepers, ranchers, processors and handlers, under National Organic Program, by Louisa Wooten, 1-5 p.m. March 28, Lihu'e Public Library, meeting room; $50; 808-635-1659, www.hawaiiorganicfarmers.org.

"SOLAR HOUSE" OPEN HOUSE, sponsored by Sunetric, highlighting benefits of an installed photovoltaic system and solar hot water system, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 29; 7123 Hawai'i Kai Drive (corner of Maka'a Street); free; open to the public; 295-7122.

"INTRODUCTION TO PORTABLE ORGANIC GARDENING," workshop on apartment/condo pallet organic gardening for growing vegetables and herbs; one of a series of UH Outreach College, noncredit workshops for home and garden; 3-4:30 p.m. April 5, Olomana Gardens, Waimanalo; $20; registration/directions, 956-8400, www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit.

"DECORATE AN EGG, THE XERISCAPE WAY," workshop hosted by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply for keiki ages 2-12 and parents with Easter egg hunt to follow; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 4; Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwa'ena St.; $5 per family; register by April 2: 748-5319.

HO'OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN SPRING PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIES, 10:30 a.m. April 21 (spiders) and May 19 (bees); with story and song time, crafts and short hike. Recommended items: rain, mud and mosquito precautions, picnic lunch and covered shoes; free; 233-7323.

BE A GREENIE

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

NEW HILO RECYCLING CENTER, including all HI-5¢ recyclables: Mr. K's Recycle and Redemption, 815 Kino'ole St., Hilo (next to bowling alley); 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 808-969-1222.

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, volunteers needed to protect rare plants and ecosystems at National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kaua'i; help needed in administration, conservation, education, development, etc.; 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, volunteers needed to preserve the rainforest; 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.

CHUN'S REEF BEACH/COASTCLEANUP by Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii and Save The Sea Turtles International; noon last Saturday monthly, from 61-529 Kamehameha Highway, Hale'iwa; (trash bag, gloves and purified water provided; bring hat, sunscreen and beach shoes); 637-2211.

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.