Annual Earth Day Essay Contest
This year’s theme is “We Are One”!
Each year, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park offers an essay contest in celebration of Earth Day and the environmental movement. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, brings environmental awareness to the forefront. This day promotes increased environmental consciousness, community participation, and protection of the planet worldwide. The mission of Wilton Preserve includes environmental education as a priority, and engaging youth in the environmental conversation is of the utmost importance. The Earth Day Essay Contest gives children of all ages the opportunity to research and engage in the climate conversation and actively seek out solutions to protect the future resources of this planet and to share their thoughts and solutions to the climate crisis.
2026 Theme: We Are One
We invite students to write their essays on the theme of there being only one Earth, which serves as home to all living things.
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will review the essays and select winners in lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school levels to receive a cash prize and recognition for their innovative ideas. Other essays are recognized by runner-up and judges’ choice categories.
High School entries must be no longer than 650 words; Middle School entries must be no longer than 500 words; Elementary School entries must be at least 10 sentences. Accompanying illustrations are also encouraged.
The contest winner from each of the categories will receive a $50 cash prize!
Deadline: Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Winners will be announced early May, and prizes will be awarded at the Annual Wildlife Festival on Sunday, May 31. Submissions may be mailed to Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 80 Scout Road, Wilton, NY 12831, or emailed to info@wiltonpreserve.org.
Please include the student’s name, the name of the school, the student’s grade, and the teacher’s name. Make sure that there is an email and a phone number with each student’s entry.