The Environmental Digest is a listing of brief news items about the actions of individuals, organizations and businesses that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the landscape that surrounds us. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact environment reporter Peter B. Lord at (401) 277-8036, or by e-mail at plord@projo.com or by writing him, care of The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.

Campaign encourages young gardeners

"Lettuce Begin,” a campaign to encourage young people to plant a spring crop of lettuce and other greens, has been launched by Kids First RI and the Children’s Garden Network. Schools and youth organizations can compete for cash prizes by registering their school garden program, along with a picture and story of their “Lettuce Begin” project, on the CGN Web site, www.childrensgardennetwork.org. Ten $50 awards will be given. Photos and stories must be posted by June 15 to qualify.

Outdoors Pursuit program starts May 31

The 2009 Rhode Island Great Outdoors Pursuit to encourage Rhode Island families to enjoy the recreational resources and outdoor activities in state parks kicks off May 31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln. Sponsored by the state Department of Environmental Management, the game will take Rhode Island families to up to seven different state parks and forests this summer.

Families can register by going to www.riparks.com where they also can find the rules for participating. Over a 12-week period, teams will be challenged to visit different state forests and parks where they will participate in outdoor adventures that include hiking, biking, fishing. Teams will receive points for participating in each event and will be eligible for prizes on the final day, Aug. 23.

The kick-off event will feature rock climbing, volleyball, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, tree identification, maple sugaring demonstrations and old-fashion lawn games. Nearly all activities are free. Kayaking and horseback riding will be offered at discounted rates.

Environmental event is Tuesday

More than 500 elementary school students, teachers and guests from 10 local schools will attend an environmental education event Tuesday at Goddard Park, Warwick.

The children and teachers participated in the Watershed Explorers Program sponsored by the Narragansett Bay Commission. The hands-on water quality monitoring program gets students and teachers “up close and personal” with the health of their local watersheds. Several other environmental organizations in the state including the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, Biomes Marine Biology Center, Roger Williams Park Zoo and Save the Bay will participate in a day of environmental education activities.

On Wednesday: Recycling/shredding

Arpin Group will host an e-waste recycling collection and document-shredding event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Dave’s Marketplace, Quonset Gateway, 5941 Post Rd., North Kingstown. A minimum donation of $2 per item is suggested. All donations will benefit Save The Bay.

Cost for shredding will be 35 cents per pound with 10 cents going directly to Save The Bay.

Items eligible for recycling are CPUs/computers, servers, keyboards, spare computer parts, monitors, laptops, network equipment, mice, laser printers, routers, radios, scanners, fax machines, uninterruptible power supplies, cables, wires, cell phones and telephones. The following items will require an additional disposal fee: televisions, $15; televisions in wood casings, $25; window unit air conditioners, $10. Alkaline batteries or "white goods" such as home appliances will not be accepted.