Montgomery County will celebrate April as “Earth Month” with a variety of events scheduled throughout the County.

Saturday April 9 -- Earth Day Proclamation presented by County Executive Ike Leggett at the groundbreaking for the Emory Grove Community Garden, 18100 Washington Grove La., Gaithersburg. 10 a.m. The garden is a collaboration between Montgomery County Parks, Montgomery County Public Schools and Neighbors For Neighbors. Contact Rev. Tim Warner at 240-777-2503 or email Tim.warner@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Volunteer Opportunities

Saturday April 9 --The Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 23rd Annual Potomac River Watershed Clean-up. Nearly 70 sites throughout Montgomery County. For local sites and to sign up, visit www.potomaccleanup.org.

Sunday April 17 -- Brookside Garden’s Earth Day Festival. Volunteer for an Earth Day Garden Project to prep for the season at 9 a.m. Volunteers must pre-register. Call 301-962-1429 or email mcp-gardenvolunteer@montgomeryparks.org.  Enjoy nature, wildlife and plant walks starting at 10 a.m. Enjoy interactive family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon and visit the “green” vendor and craft fair.

Friday, April 22 – Tree Planting ceremony at Oaks Landfill, 6001 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. (enter on Rt. 108 across from Fieldcrest Rd.). 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Help plant trees to reforest 10 acres of open grass. Join student volunteers from local high schools. Wear old shoes or boots, gloves and clothing appropriate for planting trees. To sign up, contact Karen Walker at 301-590-2855.

Saturday April 23 -- Clean-Up Takoma Park with the Old Takoma Park Business Association. Contact Roz Grigsby at execdirector@oldtakoma.com to learn more and sign-up.

For more information and additional opportunities to work on projects in honor of Earth Day, visit the Volunteer Center website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteer.

Recycling Activities

The County’s Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS) is sponsoring the following activities to provide residents with the opportunity to recycle unwanted electronics, shred and recycle confidential papers and donate gently-used clothing and household goods in working condition.

Sunday, April 10, noon to 4 p.m. – Electronics Recycling Collection, Poolesville High School, 17501 Willard Rd., Poolesville. Noon – 4 p.m. Bring unwanted or unused electronic items for recycling collection. Accepted items include: small electronic appliances, calculators, camcorders, CDs and floppy disks, CD players, cell phones, computers & computer-related items, consumer electronics, copiers, cords & cables (including chargers), digital cameras, electronic typewriters, fax machines, microwave ovens, personal digital assistant equipment, printers, projection equipment, scanners, telephones, small electronic toys, televisions and VCRs.

Saturday, April 30 – Paper Shredding/Recycling and Clothing/Household Goods Donation Collection, Walter Johnson High School, 6400 Rock Spring Dr., Bethesda. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring confidential papers for on-site shredding and recycling, and donate good, gently-used clothing and household goods in working condition to benefit residents in need. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling or call 3-1-1.

Environmental Education Events/Activities

To learn about what can be recycled in Montgomery County, how to reduce waste and reuse materials, buy recycled products, and how to grasscycle and compost yard trimmings, visit with DSWS staff and recycling volunteers at the following community events:

◊ Saturday, April 9 --WSSC H2O Fest, Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant, 12600 Great Seneca Hwy., Germantown (¼ mile south of Northwest High School). 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. First time held in Montgomery County. Educational activities, demonstrations etc. on recycling, composting, waste reduction, plus water resource preservation and protection.

◊ Sunday, April 10 -- Rockville Science Day, Montgomery College – Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Noon to 5 p.m.

◊ Saturday, April 16 --YMCA Silver Spring Healthy Kids Day, 9800 Hastings Dr., Silver Spring. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

◊ Saturday, April 16 -- Good Earth Potomac, 11650 Falls Rd.11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

◊ Saturday, April 16 -- Good Earth Olney, 18130 Georgia Ave.11 a.m. -3 p.m.

◊ Sunday, April 17 -- Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Noon – 4 p.m.

◊ Friday, April 29 -- Landon School Azalea Festival, 6101 Wilson La., Bethesda. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

◊ Saturday, April 30 -- Forest Friends Festival and Arbor Day Celebration, Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Noon to 4 p.m.

For more information about these and other events, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling and click on Calendar of Events and Activities.