NIH Earth Day 2026

NIH Earth Day 2026

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April 23, 2026, NIH will celebrate Earth Day with the theme of "Our Power, Our Planet". Earth Day helps provide us an opportunity to recognize the importance of protecting the environment and understand its impact on human health. We encourage you to join us in taking part and learning about NIH programs and from outside vendors in protecting the environment, reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste generation, and containing operational costs so that we conserve our resources for the NIH mission and be good stewards of planet earth. Please see the some of the following opportunities you may enjoy in this year's celebration:

-The NIH Stream walk that highlights the environmental features along the stream that helps promote its health and strengthen the aquatic life surrounding it.

-The distribution of at least 300-400 tree saplings for you to take and plant at home or surrounding areas

-Local farmers market for you to enjoy some local treats, flowers and more

-Maryland's very own Bonsai Club where you can learn and practice the craft of creating a Bonsai. Bring your own if you have one at home!

-Come see live animals on display. You never know what might show up this year!

-Learn aboutwaste stream identification and proper disposal procedures at theBethesda Campus with the Know Before You Throw table exhibit and self-led 2026 NIH Earth Day Activity Book.pdf .

-Maryland Master Gardeners

-Montgomery County Beekeepers

Much more to come and see!

Please note, per HHS policy, adult non-U.S. person visitors must complete the VisitNIH pre-registration process and receive approval prior to visiting NIH. Hosts must initiate the invitation in the portal for the visitor to complete. It is recommended that the pre-registration be completed 30 days in advance to allow enough time for vetting and information verification. Please ensure your visitor submits their information in enough time for review.

2026 NIH Kids' Earth Day Poster Contest is Open – Our Power, Our Planet

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Kids' Earth Day Poster Contest is open and the deadline is April 10, 2026!

NIH is calling all kids in kindergarten (K)-12th grade who have a relative that is an employee or contractor of NIH to participate in the Earth Day poster contest theme — Our Power, Our Planet

Participants are encouraged to paint and color their wish and vision in the form of artwork for celebrating this year's Earth Day. Posters will be judged by a select group of NIH personnel on creativity and the ability to show a connection between Earth Day and their vision of what it means. Participants will also receive recognition, and a few selectees (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd) will receive an award. Four groups will be judged based on age range: K-2^nd grade, 3-5^th grade, 6-8^th grade, and 9-12^th grade.

Eligibility – Children in K-12th grade whose parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, guardian, or other family member is an employee or contractor of NIH, in any operating or staff division.

Process –NIH family members must submit posters via email,in PDF or JPG format only, to greenposter@mail.nih.gov byApril 10, 2026 (unfortunately, we will not be able to grant extensions). Each poster must be accompanied by a NIH Poster Release Form.pdf .If the poster has three-dimensional objects, take and email a photo of the poster.

Contact –If you have any questions, please contact greenposter@mail.nih.gov

Please note that the close date for the poster contest has changed from April 3 to April 10!