Show your love for the planet and save the date for these upcoming events:

Feb. 18, 7 p.m.: Stop runaway runoff, build a rain garden

Join Overland Park staff members and other experts to learn more about the benefits of rain gardens, and how to design and build your own. Free, registration required.

Johnson County Central Resource Library, Carmack Community Room, contact Lisa Cox at 913-895-6172 or lisa.cox@opkansas.org for more information.

March 25: Arbor Day Poster deadline

Students who attend Overland Park schools or children who live in Overland Park are invited to submit a poster for the 2010 Overland Park Arbor Day Poster contest. The theme is Trees are Terrific...and Energy Wise! and is designed to increase knowledge about the importance of trees in our community.

Contact Donna Thellman, Arbor Day Poster contest chair, at 913-888-2655 or im40smthn@yahoo.com.

March 27, 9 a.m-3 p.m: Healthy Yards Expo

Overland Park has partnered with the City of Lenexa, Johnson County K-State Research and Extension and Johnson County Stormwater to bring resident's a new lawn and garden show about making greener choices in their landscape. Admission is free. It is at the Lenexa Conference Center, 11184 Lackman Road. Contact Lisa Cox at 913-895-6172 or lisa.cox@opkansas.org for more information.

April 3, 9 a.m. to noon: Tree Seedling Give-a-way

To celebrate Arbor Day, the city will be encouraging residents to plant a seedling. A variety of species will be distributed at the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., and the Matt Ross and Tomahawk Creek community centers. Contact Sarah Patterson at 913-387-9227 or sarah.patterson@opkansas.org for more information.

April 10: Stream Clean Day

The city and the Environmental Advisory Council will sponsor the 2010 Stream Clean Day this spring. This event helps restore the natural beauty of Overland Park streams by removing trash and debris. If you or your group would like to donate two or more hours call Jim Twigg, environmental programs coordinator, at 913-895-6273 or email jim.twigg@opkansas.org