DEP Highlights Student Art in Celebration of Earth Month 2026

May 04, 2026

CommunityPress ReleaseHuman Interest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2026

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov

DEP Highlights Student Art in Celebration of
Earth Month 2026

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In celebration of Earth Month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hosted a statewide poster contest for students in grades 4-12, inviting them to showcase their creativity and explore Florida’s environment through art.
This year’s theme, “See the Seafloor: Discover Florida Beneath the Waves,” highlighted the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative, a statewide effort to create complete, modern, high-resolution maps of Florida’s coastal seafloor. Through this initiative, scientists use advanced tools such as sonar and LiDAR to better understand underwater landscapes, marine habitats and geological features that help guide coastal protection and planning.
A finalist from each of the three grade-level categories (grades 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12) was selected from each of DEP’s six district offices. These finalists' posters were then reviewed by DEP staff in Tallahassee, where one statewide winner was selected for each category.
"The creativity and thoughtfulness shown by these students reflect a strong connection to Florida’s environment,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Their artwork captures the importance of understanding and protecting our natural resources. Congratulations to this year’s winners and thank you to all who participated!"

Grades 4-5 State Winner
Shakhina, Grade 5
Bay Lake Elementary School
“Life Beneath the Waves”

Grades 6-8 State Winner
Jacqueline, Grade 8
Orlando Science Middle School
“Mapping Our Underwater Utopia”

Grades 9-12 State Winner
Ewanteke, Grade 12
Ahfachkee School
“See the Sea”

While Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, DEP continues its work year-round to protect Florida’s air, water and land.
Visit the Earth Day 2026 webpage to learn more and find ways to help protect Florida’s natural resources.
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About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at FloridaDEP.gov.