Work day set

UNITY – In celebration of Earth Day, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host a volunteer work day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at its Common Ground Education Center.

The Landscape Committee will coordinate efforts, focusing on tree and shrub planting, and grounds clean-up. The association will provide snacks and a lunch for volunteers. Anyone interested in participating should call 568-4142 or e-mail mofga@mofga.org so coordinators will know how much food to prepare.

Hosts needed

MINOT – World Heritage, a public benefit organization, is seeking local families to host high school students from France, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Russia, China, Switzerland, Denmark and Italy.

Students are already awaiting word on their host family for the 2006-2007 academic school year. The families provide room, board and guidance for a teenager living away from home. Students are screened and are selected based on academic performance, English proficiency, teacher recommendations and personal interviews.

Couples, single parents and families with or without children at home, who are adventurous, fun loving, responsible and caring are encouraged to apply.

The exchange students arrive from their home country shortly before school begins in the fall. Each student is insured, brings personal spending money and expects to bear a share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles.

For more information, call Bethany Marking at 1-800-888-9040 or visit www.world-heritage.org.

Audubon awards

FALMOUTH – Maine Audubon, the state’s largest wildlife conservation organization, is accepting nominations through Friday, May 12, for its annual awards, given to individuals whose outstanding efforts as volunteers or professionals have advanced wildlife conservation locally or statewide.

A nomination form can be downloaded at www.maineaudubon.org, or call Retta Choate at 781-2330, ext. 221, to request a nomination form.

Award winners will be announced at an awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center. The presentation is part of Maine Audubon’s annual meeting and Peony Bloom and Ice Cream Social.