Take advantage of the warmer temperatures and Earth Day fervor and gather friends and family to volunteer in your local community this week. Help with a park or beach clean-up, weeding a community garden, join your local CSA or spend time walking the dogs at a nearby animal shelter.

Get information about nationwide Earth Day volunteer events offered through local and federal organizations at earthday.gov/volunteer. Or browse opportunities by zipcodes at volunteermatch.org. Be sure to bookmark the Volunteer Match and check back throughout the year for ongoing opportunities.

And if you don't have time to join a large volunteer effort, consider making your own at-home changes or bring a school, work or church group together for a clothing swap, organic food potluck, recycled craft fair or other Earth-focused event.

Happy Earth Day!

Provided by  - 

Copyright ©2008Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.