Come celebrate Earth Day with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on April 22, 2026.
Earth Day’s not just a day; it’s a reminder to appreciate the planet and a chance to think about what more we can do for Florida’s air, water, and land. DEP keeps working all year to protect these resources, but Earth Day stands out as an actual moment to learn about Florida’s unique environment and see how science and stewardship shape our state’s future.
This year, DEP invites students all across Florida to take a closer look at what’s hidden beneath the waves with the 2026 Earth Day Poster Contest.
Earth Day Poster Contest: “See the Seafloor: Discover Florida Beneath the Waves.”
The theme shines a spotlight on the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative: a huge statewide project that’s mapping and exploring the underwater world along Florida’s coast. Scientists use tools like sonar and LiDAR to build detailed maps of the ocean floor just offshore. These maps reveal underwater habitats, marine life, and all kinds of natural features that define Florida’s coast.
There’s been some exciting discoveries already: ancient river channels, offshore sand resources, and even deepwater coral reefs people didn’t know existed. By learning what lies beneath the waves, scientists help protect Florida’s environment, restore beaches, protect marine habitats, and strengthen our coastline.
What else could scientists find as they map Florida’s seafloor? That’s where Florida’s kids come in.
Enter Now: Create artwork showing secret landscapes, fascinating marine life, or underwater discoveries lurking beneath Florida’s waves.
If you’re a student in grades 4-12, you can submit original drawings, paintings, or digital artwork. Any medium’s welcome, as long as it highlights the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative. DEP will pick winners from each age group (grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12) in each of its six district regions. District winners will score an Aquatic Preserves reusable water bottle and move on to the statewide competition. The grand prize winner statewide gets a full-size printed poster of their work. The contest kicks off April 1, and all entries must be in by Earth Day, April 22, 2026.
Did You Know?
- Florida’s mapping its seafloor at a scale nobody’s tried before.
- The Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative is making the most complete maps of Florida’s coastal waters ever.
- Scientists recently discovered new deepwater coral reefs way offshore in Northwest Florida, beyond the famous Atlantic coast coral reefs.
- The seafloor’s got clues to Florida’s ancient past. Mapping reveals old shorelines and buried river channels from thousands of years ago.
- Florida waters are home to over 1,000 known shipwrecks, including some dating back to Spanish explorers hundreds of years ago.
For more information click here or go to floridadep.gov.
