The City of Ann Arbor is hosting two vermicomposting workshops on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the city's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), 4150 Platt Road.

These workshops are part of the recycling plant's monthly open house. Whether you are interesting in learning more about how to compost, are ready to build your own worm bin, or want an interesting Saturday morning activity for you family, this event is for you!

Vermicomposter expert Sarah Archer of Iris Waste Diversion will provide an engaging presentation at both sessions. Pre-ordered indoor worm bin kits will be available for $25 each (pay at the door by cash or check) and include a half-pound of red worms, a plastic bin with aeration holes, and the textbook "Worms eat my garbage" by wormwoman.com's Mary Appelhof.

Pre-registered space is also available for people interested in attending the workshop at no charge, but not purchasing a kit. Sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Feb. 11. Cll 734-794-6000 ext. 43118 or e-mail nlowen@a2gov.org to make a reservation, as supplies are limited to 20 kits for each session and are sold on a pre-registered basis.

Directions to the MRF are posted at www.a2gov.org/mrf. Participants may also take an optional tour of the city's recycling plant after the vermicomposting demonstration.

Free monthly MRF Open Houses give the public a chance to tour Ann Arbor's recycling operations and participate in featured activities. For more information, please consult the city Web site at www.a2gov.org/mrf. Pre-arranged weekday tours of the MRF are also available for groups of 15 or more; please call for information: 734-794-6000 ex.t 43118.

Nicole (Lowen) Berg is the MRF education center and special projects coordinator at the City of Ann Arbor. Nicole can be reached at nlowen@a2gov.org. Visit www.a2gov.org for more information on local environmental topics including recycling, composting, water conservation, and choices for green living.

Your World provides local environmental information to our community. Contributing partners include: Washtenaw County's Environmental Health Division; the nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor; the City of Ann Arbor's Public Services Area, Natural Area Preservation, Systems Planning programs for Energy, Environmental Coordination, Solid Waste, Transportation, and Water Resources.