Bethesda, Maryland
Please join the Earth Day activities on the Front Lawn of Building 1 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm on April 23, 2026.
- NIH Stream Walk: The NIH Stream walk highlights the trees, flora and fauna along the stream.
- Seedling Give-Away: Be the home for a seedling of the 350 tree saplings freely available for give-away.
- Farmer's Market Vendors: Enjoy local treats, flowers and more at local farmers markets booths.
- Maryland Bonsai Club: Bring your own Bonsai or learn tricks to create and care for one at Maryland's very own Bonsai Club exhibit.
- Maryland Reptile Center: Come see live animals on display. You never know what might show up this year!
- Maryland Master Gardeners: Hear about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices from trained volunteers of the University of Maryland Extension.
The 2026 NIH Kids' Earth Day Poster Contest is Open until April 10
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. This year's theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.
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 (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will receive an award. Four groups will be judged based on age range: K-2nd grade, 3-5th grade, 6-8th grade and 9-12th grade.
Eligibility – Children in K-12th grades whose parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, guardian or other family member is an employee or contractor of NIH.
Process – NIH family members must submit posters via email, in PDF or JPG format only, to greenposter@mail.nih.gov by April 10, 2026. 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
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina:
The event will feature exhibits, educational materials and discussions on various environmental topics as listed below:
- Week of April 20: Self-guided Discovery Lake nature walk
- Wednesday, April 22: Plant exchange
- Thursday, April 23: Adopt-a-Highway litter collection
- Wednesday, April 29: RTP Foundation Personal Electronics Recycling drop-off to benefit the Kramden Institute