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After a three-year pandemic hiatus, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' annual Earth Day celebration is back! The 2023 event will be held Friday, April 21, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the south lawn of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Since 1994, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has hosted an annual Earth Day celebration, bringing together statewide agencies and organizations to offer hands-on educational activities and displays to students from across Missouri. Earth Day offers a variety of fun and educational opportunities for students interested in finding out more about how they can improve the world around them. This year's event will feature crafts made from recycled items, stage games with prizes and several hands-on interactive activities; and best of all, it’s entirely free. Activities at this event are tailored for fifth graders, but all ages are welcome.

Register to Participate

Tap the image above to register for Earth Day 2023.

Teachers, register to participate! While open and free to the public, the Earth Day 2023 activities are geared to the educational needs of fifth-grade students. Teachers can register their classes for Earth Day 2023 online now. Preregistration allows us to better prepare for the event, as well as make sure registered teachers receive all the necessary information to make sure their students get the greatest educational benefit possible from attending the event.

Schools may be eligible to apply for financial assistance through the department’s bus grant program to assist with transportation expenses!

Slogan Contest

2023 Earth Day Slogan Contest

We are asking Missouri fifth graders to put on their thinking caps and come up with a slogan about any aspect of Earth Day. Each student should complete the entry form below and ask their teacher to submit their slogan to us. You do not have to attend the Earth Day event to participate in the slogan contest. Hurry – the deadline to submit entries is Feb. 25!

The winner will be our special guest during Earth Day 2023 and will receive a $50 gift card donated by Central Bank in Jefferson City and Missouri Rock and Mineral set donated by Missouri Geological Survey. The teacher of the winning student will also receive something special.

2022 Earth Day Slogan Contest Winner

Mahamud Mahamud, a fifth grade student from Kansas City International Academy, won first place with the slogan, "May the forest be with you." Mahamud was among more than 700 Missouri fifth graders who entered the 2022 slogan contest.

As the slogan contest winner, Mahamud received a special Earth Day proclamation signed by Governor Mike Parson, a $50 gift card donated by Central Bank in Jefferson City, four admission passes to the Kansas City SeaLife Aquarium and a rock and mineral set from the Missouri Geological Survey. Mahamud’s teacher, Joe Krohn, received a $10 gift card donated by Panera Bread Company and a $25 gift card donated by Dollar General. Typically, the slogan winner and teacher are announced and prizes awarded during the annual Earth Day celebration in Jefferson City, however, this year’s event was cancelled due to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19.

Congratulations to Mahamud and Joe!

Activities and Information

Held in the shadow of Missouri's historic Capitol, Earth Day 2023 will offer a variety of fun and educational opportunities for students interested in finding out more about how they can improve the world around them.  

  • The Teachers’ Resource Tent - Teachers will be able to review the latest in educational offerings from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and many of our state, local and university exhibitors. This also will include a place to sit and relax!
  • Live stage presentations - Educational stage games (with prizes), live music and more.
  • Exhibit Booths - Exhibits from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as well as other state, federal and local agencies.
  • Hands-on crafts from recycled materials - This popular Earth Day feature will return by popular demand.

Additional Information

Other Events

Events Across Missouri

Many communities in Missouri have Earth Day celebrations. Links to their events will be added below as they are planned.

  • Columbia
  • Kansas City
  • St. Louis
  • Fort Leonard Wood

Events in Missouri State Parks

Visit this page often to find out about Earth Day events being planned at various Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites.

Missouri Recycling Association

MORA Earth Day Stewardship Showcase

    Other Links

    EPA 

    • History of Earth Day - Earth Day, which occurs annually on April 22 for the national celebration, involves tens of thousands of events, from rallies and teach-outs to concerts and Earth fairs. You'll find them everywhere, in the world's capitals and in its nooks and crannies — together sending a message loud and clear that this turf is precious, perishable and belongs to all of us.
    • Learning and Teaching about the Environment - Discover environmental education resources for teachers and students.
    • Reducing Food Waste Activity Book - Help Apple and her friends learn how to reduce food waste and help protect the environment
    • EPA Region 7 Trash-Free Waters Challenge - We challenge you to help EPA keep the waters of our creeks, rivers, lakes and oceans TRASH-FREE! Did you know the majority of the trash and plastic items found in the oceans actually came from land a long way upstream? Now that you do, you can help keep trash out of the oceans, even if you live far from the coast. EPA's Trash-Free Waters program is focused on keeping waters trash-free by working with communities to reduce the amount of trash entering U.S. waterways and the world’s oceans.

    EarthDay.org

    Earthday.org's mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day in 1970, EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in over 192 countries to drive positive action for our planet. Visit earthday.org's How to do Earth Day 2023 and find an event in your location! 

    Heartland All Species Project

    The Heartland All Species Projects mission is to provide interdisciplinary eco-cultural environmental education and community building action projects for cities, neighborhoods and villages. Just as the Fourth of July reminds us to love our country, Earth Day reminds us to love and care for the earth and our fellow creatures. Visit the Heartland All Species Project's Earth Day in Your Neighborhood and find ways to put on a your own local activities.

    MoDNR Publications

    Related Links

    Capitol Tours
    Governor's Mansion Tours
    Jefferson Landing Tours
    Area Attractions and Links of Interest

    Contact Information

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