Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on our community’s commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of the environment. It is an important chance to recognize outstanding environmental achievements, engage with environmental topics, and commit to making a difference. Each year, the city hosts activities dedicated to celebrating Earth Day and its environmental principles: the Poster and Writing Contest and the Annual Citywide Clean-Up. While Earth Day falls on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Earth Day events are scattered around spring. Please help us celebrate Earth Day by participating and encouraging others to participate!

2026 Poster and Writing Contest

The Poster and Writing Contest invites Hayward students K-12 to create a poster or write a poem/essay about Earth Day and its environmental principles. It gives students an opportunity to draw or write their thoughts on water and energy conservation, renewable energy, sustainable transportation and meals, recycling and composting, a litter-free environment, and environmental justice. See here to download an entry form.

Entries are due by March 12, 2026.

The winners will be awarded at a City Council meeting in April. Full Contest details available here.

Submissions can also be submitted electronically. To turn in your poster, poem, or essay electronically, please go here.

To view the content in a different language, use the language selector in the top-right corner.

See the 2025 winning entries here

Annual Citywide Clean-Up & Community Fair

The Annual Citywide Clean-Up & Community Fair is a litter pick-up event hosted at Weekes Park. Volunteers come together to collect litter and abandoned debris in various neighborhoods throughout the city. After picking up litter, community members will meet back up at Weekes Park and be provided lunch. There will also be a Community Fair with sustainability themed booths hosted by community organizations with fun activities for all.

The Annual Citywide Clean-Up will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Volunteer Information:

Volunteer check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. near the Weekes Park Community Center and the litter pick-up will begin at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers will return to Weekes Park around 10:30 a.m. to return their equipment and enjoy a free lunch and community tabling fair. Upon check-in, volunteers will be entered into an Earth Day Raffle and after returning equipment, volunteers will receive their meal ticket for a free lunch catered by El Taquito.

We highly recommend that volunteers wear closed-toed shoes and bring sun protection and a reusable water bottle. Please register to volunteer here for a faster check-in.

Download Volunteer Waivers Below: 

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