The following projects are scheduled to take place on April 25 in honor of Earth Day, which is actually April 22. Those interested in participating may contact the person listed for more information. Other projects will take place prior to the 25th. For a complete list, go to http://www.volunteercenterofracine.org and click on "volunteer opportunities." All events will be held rain or shine, unless otherwise noted.

And, if you don't find anything listed that fits your schedule, create your own Earth Day activity.

"Get out in your own backyard and do some spring cleaning, or walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash," suggests Marilynn Pelky, executive director of the Volunteer Center of Racine County.

Helping a neighbor clean their garden, fixing a child's bicycle or spreading some wild flower seeds, are other ideas given by Ben Lehner, of the Root River Environmental Education Community Center.

"Turn off some lights and computers, hang laundry outside, go play outdoors!," Lehner said.

- Adopt-A-Highway: 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at the Stir Crazy Coffee Shop in Rochester and move to Highway D for clean-up activities (unless raining). Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Contact Dave at:

dvoss@volunteercenterofracine.org

- Adopt-A-River: River area clean-ups are planned at the following sites: Gleason Property, Barbee Park, Clayton Park, Parker Park, Washington Park, Cedar Bend park, Riverside Park, Island Park, Lee Park, Brose Park, Mary Ellen Helgren Johnson Preserve, Lincoln Park south bank, Lincoln Park north bank and Colonial Park. Contact Duncan at:

dcortez@cityofracine.org

- Eco Justice Center Work: 9 a.m. to noon, or later. Framing in of the hermitage (small cabin), removal of buck thorn and garlic mustard, and mulching a wood chip path are planned at the Eco Justice Center, 7133 Michna Road. Contact Sister Janet at (262) 681-8527 or:

jaweyk@miliserv.net

- Green Racine & Jones Street Victory Garden: Garden project and weed control. Contact Wayne Clingman at wclingman@wi.rr.com

- Kids Cove Playground Cleanup: 8:30 a.m. to noon. Sweeping, chip leveling, weed removal, paint touch-up and wood resealing are some of the jobs planned at the North Beach playground. Wear warm clothes. Broom or shovel optional. Contact Bob at (262) 639-8911 or reoertel@yahoo.com for info.

- Myers Park: 9 a.m. to noon. Removal of invasive species and planting native shrubs for birds in grassy area by beach. Contact Chris at chrisflynnpi@cs.com or (262) 633-8239.

- North Beach: Planting grass in the sand. Contact Donnie at dsnow@cityofracine.org

- REC (Root River Environmental Education Community Center): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m./drop-in anytime. Removal of invasive plants, maintenance of Rain Garden, planting of trees, shrubs and native flowers and spring cleaning of facility at 1301 Sixth St. Bring shovels, rakes and gloves, if you have them. Some tools will be available. Contact Ben at benjamin.lehner@uwp.edu

- Reuse-A-Shoe: 10 a.m. to noon. Used athletic shoes will be collected for recycling in the parking lot of the Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave. Contact Duncan at:

dcortez@cityofracine.org

- River Bend Nature Center: 8:30 a.m. Removal of invasive species at the YWCA's nature center, 3600 N. Green Bay Road. Contact Bob at:

reoertel@yahoo.com

- Sturtevant Beautification Committee: 9 a.m. to noon. Removal of invasive species at the Kirkorian Nature Preserve at Willow Road and Broadway, Sturtevant. Contact Rose at:

jwoodruff96@wi.rr.com

- Weed Out: 9 a.m. to noon. Removal of invasive species and planting of 50 trees at Colonial Park, 2300 W. High St. Meet at bench area near parking lot at west end of High Street. Dress for weather and bring shovels, if you have them. Contact John at jberge35@wi.rr.com or Melissa at melissa.warner3@sbcglobal.net

- SAFE Passage: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gardening project at SAFE Passage, 1600 W. Sixth St. Bring garden tools and gloves and be prepared to get dirty. Contact Melissa at:

mrobinson@safehavenofracine.org

- Conservation Cleanup: 10 a.m. at the Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St. Spreading of mulch and sand, plantings, etc. Contact Heather at (262) 636-9580.