Earth Day is the global celebration and recognition of our Earth’s environmental resources. The first Earth Day took place in 1970 and has since been recognized annually on April 22. Participants across the globe recognize Earth Day as a day to promote the importance of our environmental resources, the need to increase environmental protections and the need to take action to restore natural ecosystems.  

Each year, approximately 1 billion people join to recognize Earth Day. Participants spend the day hiking, paddling, enjoying the outdoors, participating in restoration and/or cleanup projects and taking time to increase awareness of how human activity impacts our planet.  

This Earth Day we encourage you to find ways to incorporate positive environmental practices and sustainability into your daily lives so that you can make every day Earth Day.

Celebrate Earth Day 2022

• Celebrate at a local Florida State Park or at other Earth Day events.  
• Challenge yourself with the Earth Day Bingo Card. 

Practice Every Day is Earth Day 

• Volunteer! Find Florida State Park volunteer opportunities and other DEP volunteer opportunities near you.  
• Practice Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. 
• Sign the pledge and Rethink. Reset. Recycle. 
• Use Green Lodging when you travel.     
• Help your favorite school achieve a Green School designation.  
• Practice clean boating habits and use a Clean Marina for boating needs.  
• Increase awareness of Florida's natural resources by exploring Florida's state parks, aquatic preserves and national estuarine research reserves. 
• Help protect Florida’s Coral Reef.  

Protecting our Earth, Economy and Future 

At the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) every day is Earth Day. The agency works year-round to protect and restore Florida’s natural resources by:  

• Conserving the state’s natural and cultural history by acquiring environmentally sensitive lands.  
• Using science to identify impaired water bodies and work with local communities to implement restoration and pollution prevention projects.  
• Investing in our water quality protection and restoration projects.
• Overseeing cleanup of contaminated sites to protect the environment and public health.  
• Regulating air emissions sources to protect air quality.  
• Working with communities to identify and implement projects to improve resiliency. 
• Communicating real-time water quality status to Florida residents and other interested parties.
• Enforcing the state’s environmental laws.  
• Providing recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy Florida’s natural resources through the Florida State Parks. 

We can all take steps to personally and positively impact our community and our shared environment. Remember, even small actions can make a big impact. Get started by minimizing actions that deliver nutrients and other pollutants into our waterways, reporting algal blooms, volunteering and staying informed.

Earth Day Art Contest

Art contest submissions were accepted through April 1, 2022. The submission period is now closed.  

The 2022 Earth Day Art Contest is available to fourth through 12th grade students utilizing the theme of “What Do You Love About Florida’s Environment?” 

Winning students will be selected from each age group (fourth through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade, and ninth through 12th grade) in each of DEP's six district regions and will receive a park day pass for entrance to a Florida State Park. Regional winners will be entered into a statewide contest for a full-size (25-by-36-inch) printed poster of their art. The winners will be announced in late April 2022.