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Earth Day

Middle School Preservation
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Earth Day

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) celebrates Earth Day every year in April.

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970.  On that day, 20 million Americans, 10% of the U.S. population at the time, took to the streets, college campuses, and hundreds of cities. They protested environmental issues like oil spills, smog, and rivers so polluted they caught fire, and they demanded change for our planet going forward. 

The ongoing goal of Earth Day is to raise awareness for climate change, protect the world's resources, and improve the environment. Government, non-government organizations, businesses, and individuals around the world act on Earth Day to help restore the world's resources, improve farming practices, rebuild soils, restore native flora and wildlife, and improve water quality, making it one of the largest civic engagement events that take place worldwide.

Celebrate Earth Day with EGLE!

2025 Michigan Student Sustainability Summit Information

Michigan Student Sustainability Summit

On May 20, 2025, join us to celebrate youth-led sustainability work happening across the state! Take part in student project presentations, career exploration, and immersive field experiences at this youth-focused and student-led summit.

Registration Now Open!
Earth Day Poster

Poster contest

EGLE invites students in kindergarten through 5th grade to enter the annual Michigan Earth Day Poster Contest! Prizes are awarded for 1st and 2nd place winners in each grade.

Environmental Service Award Project

Environmental Service Award

Nominate a student, group, or class for the Environmental Service Award, which recognizes exceptional environmental projects completed by youth in grades 6-12.

Two projects will be awarded a cash prize and certificate of achievement, one in grades 6-8 and one in grades 9-12.

Celebrate Earth Day all year!

You can celebrate Earth Day weekly all year long with one of our 52 ways to celebrate Earth Day! Bookmark this page and revisit throughout the year to learn all kinds of ways how you can help take care of the planet.