Earth Day is held every year on April 22. Since the first observance in 1970, Earth Day has grown into the largest civic observance in the world. People spend the day hiking, paddling and enjoying the outdoors, as well as participating in cleanup and restoration projects. This day is an opportunity to think about how our lives impact the environment.  

Clean is Green: Preserving Florida’s Future 

Every day is Earth Day in Florida! This Earth Day, join the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to recognize Florida’s efforts in sustaining our air, water, land and ecosystems. 

DEP’s Earth Day 2024 theme is “Clean is Green: Preserving Florida’s Future.” We want to inspire Floridians to incorporate positive environmental practices into their daily routines – check out the Every Day is Earth Day tips below.   

DEP is hosting the annual Earth Day Poster Contest. We encourage 4^th - 12^th grade students to submit a poster that reflects this year’s theme, “Clean is Green: Preserving Florida’s Future.”  

Artwork will be selected from each grade group (4^th - 5^th grades, 6^th - 8^th grades, and 9^th - 12^th  grades) in each of DEP's six district regions and winners will receive day-passes for Florida State Parks. 

District winners will be entered into a statewide contest. The winning entries will also receive a full-size printed poster of their artwork. The winners will be announced in May 2024.  

Read more about the Rules and Guidelines.

LAUNCH DATE: March 21, 2024  |  SUBMIT DATE: April 22, 2024 by 5 p.m.  

Practice Every Day is Earth Day

• Challenge yourself with the Earth Day Bingo Card.

• Volunteer! Find Florida State Park volunteer opportunities and other 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 state parks, aquatic preserves and national estuarine research reserves. 

• Help protect Florida’s Coral Reef.  

Protecting our Earth, Economy and Future

DEP works year-round to protect and restore Florida’s natural resources by:    

• Providing recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy Florida’s natural resources through the Florida State Parks.

• 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. 

• Regulating air emissions sources to protect air quality.  

• Working with communities to identify and implement projects to improve resilience. 

• Communicating real-time water quality status to Florida residents and other interested parties.

• Enforcing the state’s environmental laws.  

We can all take steps individually that positively impact our community and our shared environment. Remember, even small actions can make a big impact.

Statewide Winners 2023 Earth Day Poster Contest 

Statewide Winners 2022 Earth Day Poster Contest