Subject
title
Proclamation Declaring the Month of April as Earth Month; April 22, 2026, as Earth Day; and March 28, 2026, 8:30-9:30 P.M. as Earth Hour in Rockville
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Department
PW - Environmental Management
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Mayor and Council read, approve, and present the proclamation to the Rockville Environment Commission.
Discussion
April 22, 2026, is the 56th anniversary of the first Earth Day, when events are held worldwide to appreciate and raise awareness about the Earth's natural environment. Founded in 1970, Earth Day was organized as an environmental teach-in on several college campuses and signaled the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day is now celebrated in more than 192 countries and is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.
To commemorate Earth Day, Rockville is celebrating throughout March, April, and May with events, outdoor opportunities, and by sharing actions residents can take to reduce pollution and protect our water, air, forests, and wildlife. Events will be shared in Rockville Reports, online, and the Environment & Sustainability e-newsletter.
Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness for climate action and biodiversity protection by encouraging individuals, communities, households, and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday in March. Earth Hour started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Since then, 187 countries and territories have participated. In observance of Earth Hour, the City turned off all nonessential lights at the Gude Maintenance Facility on March 28.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council recognize Earth Month, Earth Day, and Earth Hour each year with a proclamation.
Next Steps
Rockville has a variety of events, volunteer opportunities, and programs to help residents celebrate Earth Month, get involved, and protect Rockville's environment this year and beyond.
Event highlights are listed below and posted at www.rockvillemd.gov/earthmonth <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/earthmonth>. Residents may also get reminders by signing up for the Environment & Sustainability e-newsletter by visiting www.rockvillemd.gov/newsletters <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/newsletters> and selecting “Environment and Sustainability.”
Green Permit Fee Waivers for Earth Month. To commemorate Earth Month, Rockville will waive permit fees for certain environmentally friendly home improvements, including solar photovoltaic panel installations, electric vehicle charging stations and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, such as heat pumps. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, April 30 at mygovernmentonline.org <https://cityofrockville.sharepoint.com/sites/emd/Shared%20Documents/07_Outreach_Engagement/Events/Earth_Month/2026/Proclamation/mygovernmentonline.org>.
Pull for the Planet: Volunteer Garlic Mustard Pull, Various locations and dates in April and May. Help restore native habitat by volunteering to remove non-native invasive garlic mustard from Rockville parks. Pull sites include Croydon Creek Nature Center, RedGate Park, Twinbrook Park, Dogwood Park and Fallsgrove Park. Student Service-Learning hours are available. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required at rockvillemd.gov/weedwarriors. <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/weedwarriors>
Saturday, April 5: Twinbrook Stream Cleanup, 9-11 a.m. at Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Pkwy. City staff will greet volunteers. Gloves and bags will be provided. Student Service-Learning hours are available. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited. Registration required at rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream>.
Thursday, April 16: Native Plants: Choosing, Finding and Planting with Purpose, 7-8 p.m. Virtual. Join the Climate Solutions Speaker Series for a virtual webinar with Lisa Kuder from the Maryland Native Plants Program at the University of Maryland Extension. Attendees will learn how to use the new “Maryland Native Plant Guide for the Piedmont Region” to select the right native plants for their property and explore helpful resources, including certified native plant retailers. Register at bit.ly/rkvclimate <https://cityofrockville.sharepoint.com/sites/emd/Shared%20Documents/07_Outreach_Engagement/Events/Earth_Month/2026/Proclamation/bit.ly/rkvclimate>.
Saturday, April 25: City Nature Challenge, 9-10 a.m. at Croydon Creek Nature Center. Be part of a global effort to observe and document local wildlife during the City Nature Challenge. Join nature center staff on a guided walk through the forest preserve, where naturalists will demonstrate using the iNaturalist app to record plants and animals, big and small. Ages 6 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register at rockvillemd.gov/registration <https://cityofrockville.sharepoint.com/sites/emd/Shared%20Documents/07_Outreach_Engagement/Events/Earth_Month/2026/Proclamation/rockvillemd.gov/registration> for course #39958.
Sunday, April 26: Rockville Science Day, noon-5 p.m. at Montgomery College, Rockville campus, 51 Mannakee St. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of hands-on learning and exploration at the largest STEM festival in Montgomery County.
Saturday, May 2: Native Plant Sale, 9-11 a.m. at Elwood Smith Community Center, 601 Harrington Road. Bring beauty and biodiversity to your yard with Maryland native plants selected for our local ecosystem. Native plants support pollinators, strengthen watershed health, and create resilient landscapes that thrive in our region. Every purchase supports Croydon Creek Nature Center’s environmental education programs, community outreach, and conservation initiatives. The sale is while supplies last. Come early!
Sunday, May 3: Maryvale Stream Cleanup, 10 a.m. to noon at Maryvale Park, 812 First Street. Join the Rockville Environment Commission for a stream cleanup. Gloves and bags will be provided. Student Service-Learning hours are available. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited. Registration required at rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream>.
Saturday, May 16: Spring Festival and Kids to Parks Day, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road. The whole family will enjoy nature games and crafts, woodland hikes, live animal meet-and-greets, sustainability exhibits, local vendors and more. This free drop-in event will take place rain or shine.
Ongoing Education and Volunteer Opportunities
Find More Spring Activities at Croydon Creek Nature Center. Looking for more to do outside? Croydon Creek Nature Center offers hikes, campfires, nature outings, youth camps and more throughout the year. Learn more and register at www.rockvillemd.gov/croydoncreek <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/croydoncreek>
Weed Warrior Workdays. Join Rockville Weed Warrior Leaders for non-native, invasive plant removal workdays. SSL hours are available. Space is limited. Find upcoming events and register at www.rockvilled.gov/weedwarriors <http://www.rockvilled.gov/weedwarriors>.
Adopt-A-Stream. Groups can adopt a Rockville stream and host cleanups to help keep litter out of local waterways. Apply at www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/adopt-a-stream>.
Solar Coop. If you are interested in rooftop solar, then this is the opportunity for you! For updates, sign up for the Environment & Sustainability E-Newsletter or visit www.rockvillemd.gov/solar <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/solar>.
Plog Rockville. Pledge to clean up litter while you walk, jog or run through Rockville and receive a free plogging bag while supplies last. For more details and to take the pledge, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/environment <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/environment>.