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MAPLE RIDGE, BC – All BC children, youth and adults are invited to enter the Celebrate Earth Day in Maple Ridge Poetry & Photo Contests and showcase their creativity to win some great prizes. Deadline for both contests is Tuesday, March 31. All photo contest entries will be posted on the Celebrate Earth Day Facebook Page where the community votes for the winners. Poetry Contest winners may be asked to share their creations at the Celebrate Earth Day Festival Welcoming Ceremonies on Saturday, April 18 in Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge. 

“I am so excited to be a part of this fun and creative contest,” says Ariane Jaschke of Capture Photography Studios, who is coordinating the Photo Contest this year for the first time, “It celebrates what matters most - community, creativity, and our connection with each other and the earth. Celebrating and showcasing our local talent, through art and photography is such a fun way to get involved!  I can't wait to see the entries!” 

Submit your photos capturing the “reConnect” theme to EDcontests@rmrecycling.org by midnight on Tuesday, March 31. Send photos in jpg format (minimum 1MB). All photos will be posted on the Celebrate Earth Day in Maple Ridge Facebook page for people to vote by “liking” their favourites from April 5 - 11.  Check for posted photos and vote at https://www.facebook.com/mapleridgeearthday

Winners will be announced and prizes presented at the Earth Day Welcoming Ceremonies on Saturday, April 18. 

The Earth Day Poetry contest also draws out great local talent each year. Poems must be 350-words or less and short fiction must be 500-words or less. 

“Maple Ridge Public Library is proud to support the 2026 Earth Day Poetry Contest as a celebration of creativity, community, and our shared responsibility to care for the planet,” says Liza Morris, Community Librarian at Maple Ridge Public Library and Earth Day Poetry Contest Coordinator, “With this year’s theme, reConnect, the contest invites all ages to reflect on reconnecting with nature and with each other.” 

Submit your poetry or short fiction capturing the “reCollect” theme to EDcontests@rmrecycling.org by midnight on Tuesday, March 31. Winners may be asked to have their work published or read at the Celebrate Earth Day Welcoming Ceremonies at Memorial Peace Park on Saturday, April 18. 

Include with all entries:  

-Name (first & last)    

-BC Mailing Address    

-Phone Number & Email Address   

-Age (if 17 or under)   

Categories for both contests are Kids (up to age 10), Youth (age 11 to 16), and Adult (17 and up)   

More contest information at https://rmrecycling.org/earth-day-poetry-photo-contests   

About the “reConnect” theme: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”    -Howard Thurman 

The 2026 Earth Day Festival encourages you to reach out and reConnect with the people, places, and activities you love. Maybe it’s two seconds to look away from the screen and appreciate where you are and who you’re with. Maybe it’s two minutes to phone or email an old friend or loved one or listen to a favourite song. Maybe it’s two hours to walk, hike, bike, or drive around a place that’s filled with memories. Maybe it’s two weeks of rediscovering an activity or taking a class and rekindling feelings that make your heart sing. Whatever it is, don’t wait. ReConnect and reawaken. The world needs you.