Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services has two popular spring events coming up for volunteers who want to get outside, help improve parks and enjoy the warming weather.

Park officials encourage students looking for ways to earn community service hours, scout troops, faith-based communities, co-workers, families and individuals to sign up for one or both of the following events:

• Earth Day, Saturday, April 21: Celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day at Park Orchard Park, 11058 S.E. 230th St., in the Panther Lake area. Park at Park Orchard Elementary School next door and walk into the park.

• Arbor Day, Saturday, April 28:  Our most popular annual event – come plant trees at West Fenwick Park, 3808 Reith Road on the West Hill. Every year for the past 10 years, Kent has been recognized as a Tree City USA city for its commitment to urban trees. Ara Erickson, representing the Washington Community Forestry Council, will present a special award to Mayor Suzette Cooke and Parks Director Jeff Watling before work begins.

Both events are from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Volunteers are asked to dress for the weather (no sandals or flip-flops), bring work gloves and a shovel, pruners or lopping shears if you have them.

Starbucks will provide coffee and hot chocolate. Water also will be available, so bring your own water container and refill it from our cooler to reduce waste in our landfills.

To keep our events manageable and safe, register by noon at least three days before each activity. Forms are at www.KentWAParks.com. Click on Volunteer. Or call 253-856-5110.

Both events are part of the city’s Green Kent Partnership, a 20-year commitment to restore and manage natural areas by removing invasive plants and planting native trees and shrubs in their place. Monitoring and maintenance will be done by trained volunteer Green Kent Stewards along with staff and special contractors. To learn more or to volunteer for the next Green Kent work party, visit www.greenkent.org.