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​​​2023 NIH Earth Day​​​

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The NIH is gearing up for another Earth Day event this April across many campuses and locations. This year will mark the first in-person Earth Day events since 2019. Please see the details for each location below. In some cases, only partial information is available as activities are still being planned.

Check the full up-to-date activity list on the Earth Day page on the NEMS website!

Bethesda Campus

All NIH Staff and their children are invited to attend the 2023 NIH Earth Day on the Bethesda campus! This in-person event will occur on April 27, 2023 from 10am to 2pm on the lawn in front of Building 1. The event will occur in conjunction with the NIH Take Your Child to Work Day, so activities will be available for both NIH staff and their children. These activities cover a variety of environmental topics ranging from waste management and pollution to stormwater erosion and habitat preservation. The full activity details are available below. Unless specified otherwise, all activities will run from 10am to 2pm. We hope to see you at the NIH Earth Day event!

• Earth Day Pledge Tree – Make a pledge to protect the environment with the ORF/ORS Green Team's Earth Day Pledge Tree!
• Live Animals from Local Wildlife Societies - Come see live animals with their trained handlers from local wildlife societies like the Maryland Reptile Conservation Center, the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society and the Susquehannock Wildlife Society. The featured animals will include snakes, turtles and more! Learn how these animals are affected by humans and how we can keep their habitats healthy.
• Investigating Radioactivity - Discover the properties of radioactive materials and the effects of radiation. Learn how to detect radiation around you, including where you might find it and how to protect yourself from it!
• Composting Fun with Jeremy Wormy - Join NICHD to learn about the world of worms and why they enjoy compost. You may even get to speak with Jeremy Wormy face-to-face! There will also be a few giveaways like seed packets, mint plants and more.
• Waste at the NIH – Learn about waste management at the NIH while playing a fun recycling game! NIH staff will describe the many waste and recycling programs available on the NIH campus and answer any questions. Come grab a recycling bin for your office!
• Electric Vehicle Extravaganza! - Come see a display of electric vehicles and learn about their features. The owners of the vehicles are NIH staff that are very knowledgeable regarding the logistics of commuting to the NIH with an electric vehicle. Come ask them any questions you may have about owning or operating an electric vehicle!
• Seedling Giveaway - Claim a free seedling to plant at home, sponsored by the NIH Federal Credit Union. There are a limited number of seedlings that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The giveaway will begin at 10am and last until seedling run out.
• Shop Like an Expert - Join the NIH Supply Center to learn how an expert shops at the NIH. Browse the green product offerings from the NIH Supply Center to help protect the environment!
• Buzzing with Honey Bees - Get an up-close view of honey bees with an observation hive from the Montgomery County Beekeepers Association. Learn why pollinators are a crucial part of the environment and how we can protect them.
• Win the Recycling Game! - Discover which items can be recycled with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. Play educational games related to waste and recycling to win a prize!
• Composting with the Compost Crew - Join the Compost Crew to learn about composting through a fun matching game! Correctly identify which items are trash, recycling and compost!
• Biking with a Purpose – Use your own energy to pedal a bicycle and power a radio playing your favorite tunes. Biking is a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change!
• Guided Tour of the NIH Stream - 11am to 12pm - Take a guided tour of the NIH Stream to learn about the various environmental aspects of this feature. Discover the effects of the Stream on stormwater management, local wildlife habitats, pollution and more. The tour will meet at the flagpole on the lawn in front of Building 1 and leave promptly at the designated time. The tour will conclude at this same location. A virtual tour is available here!
  
• Earth Day Scavenger Hunt – See if you can complete this environment-themed scavenger hunt on the Bethesda campus during Earth Day!

Ft. Detrick Campus

Preliminary details are being arranged for an Earth Day activity on the Ft. Detrick campus. Information on this activity will be added to the Earth Day page when available.

Research Triangle Park Campus

A few activities are being planned for the Research Triangle Park (RTP) campus, including an electric vehicle roundup, an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup and a speaker session. Additionally, the RTP Electronics Recycling Day will be held on April 13, 2023. Please check the Earth Day page for updates closer to the event.

Bayview Campus

The Bayview campus will host a recycling event on April 20, 2023 from 10am to 2pm at the Biomedical Research Center (BRC). Acceptable items include office recyclables, small equipment (non-decaled), batteries, cell phones and more. A full list of acceptable items will be posted on the Earth Day page once it is finalized.

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​​Take Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

​2023 NIH Earth Day Scavenger Hunt ​ ​​See if you can find all of these things related to the environment while on the NIH Bethesda Campus for Earth Day! LEARN MORE ​

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? A large component of Earth Day is increasing environmental and climate knowledge, especially amongst children. The NIH Earth Day is often paired with the NIH Take Your Child to Work Day to emphasize climate knowledge to the children of NIH staff. To learn more about climate literacy​ at the NIH​, please visit the NEMS Training webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.