Earth Day

We celebrate Earth Day

Every spring since 2007 the City of Springfield’s Environmental Services Division has held an Earth Day project for local elementary school students.

We’re Springfield’s Stormwater Team and taking care of water and waterways in Springfield is our job. That makes us local experts on the Earth! We and our coworkers in other departments have a lot to share because we oversee the planning, construction, regulation, and maintenance of Springfield’s infrastructure and many public spaces.

As parents and family members ourselves, we’re passionate about educating young people on how Springfield works. For 3rd graders we offer Public Works Week. For 5th graders we provide Clean Water University. Earth Day is all about our 4th graders.

Earth Day comes in spring and it’s a great time to introduce kiddos to the Earth at the local level, as well as for us to discover what the Earth and our City means to them.

Happy Earth Day!

Blasts from the past

Click the side arrows to see scenes from Earth Day’s gone by.

2023: Art Contest

For Earth Day 2023, Springfield’s 4th-grade teachers were invited to enter their students in an Art Contest on the theme, “Water is Life.”

Seven classrooms from six schools are participating, which is approximately 175 students. Because we all need clean water to live, water was the focus of the contest.

For inspiration before drawing, classrooms were offered a PowerPoint presentation about Springfield’s stormwater and wastewater systems and ways we can help to protect them (for current and future generations).

Please enjoy this art by our Top 5 winners for the Earth Day 2023 Art Contest!

Approximate timeline for the annual Earth Day Art Contest

Date Activity
1st week of March 4th-Grade teacher’s deadline to RSVP.
2nd week of March Drawing contest packets distributed to all signed-up schools.
last week of March Packets picked up from schools.
early April Voting by Springfield Staff, with the Top 5 finalists selected by the mayor
mid-April to mid-May Winning art is on display at the Springfield City Hall lobby: the Top 5 winners plus 15 Honorable Mentions.
2nd Friday in April 2nd Friday Art Walk at Springfield City Hall.
late April or early May Winners recognized at the Springfield City Council meeting during the Springfield Upbeat portion of the meeting.
2nd Friday in May 2nd Friday Art Walk at Springfield City Hall.
late May Art returned to the schools.

2022: Meet Finley the Fish

For Earth Day 2022, Springfield’s 4th-grade teachers were offered a free story and activity kit for their classrooms. The story of Finley the Fish let teachers and students conduct an experiment to see the impacts we have on our land and our aquatic animals. Then they discussed how to still do what we want, but in ways that don’t hurt the Earth.

This is important because we need clean water to live. And the main cause of pollution to the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers comes from urban runoff through stormwater. It means all of us have a part to play in taking action to keep our rivers safe and healthy.

Click the side arrows to see more about Finley the Fish:

2021: Earth Day Art Showcase

For Earth Day in 2021, 4th-grade students learned about Springfield’s stormwater system and the actions they can take to prevent pollution from washing in to storm drains. This is important because the main cause of pollution to the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers comes from urban runoff through stormwater. It means all of us have a part to play in taking action to keep our rivers safe and healthy.

Click the side arrows to enjoy our short presentation to 4th graders, offered in 2021:

About

Project goals

Our Earth Day projects are funded by stormwater fees earmarked for public education. The activities have changed over the years, yet all have engaged students in a meaningful educational activity related to the City of Springfield and to the Earth. Previous activities have included poster contests, a rain barrel painting contest, and a Public Service Announcement for radio.

  • We involve as many Springfield students as possible and provide equal opportunities for them all to participate.
  • We introduce students to the relationship between their behavior and the health of the land we live on.
  • Projects can also create excitement around the City’s important role in the environment.

Contact Us

For information about our Earth Day projects, contact Springfield’s Stormwater Team at 541.726.3694 or WaterResources@springfield-or.gov.