NASA centers across the nation invite journalists and the public to see and hear about the agency’s efforts and contributions to understanding and protecting Earth.

Begun in 1970, Earth Day is the annual celebration of the environment and a time to assess work still needed to protect the natural resources of our planet. The agency maintains the largest contingent of dedicated Earth scientists and engineers in leading and assisting other agencies in preserving the planet’s environment.

For a comprehensive listing of NASA Earth Day activities, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/earthday

The Web site also features an online poll inviting the public to vote
for the most important contribution NASA has made to exploring Earth
and improving the way we live on our home planet. The “greatest hits”
poll closes April 21. A new interactive feature will debut on Earth
Day, April 22, that allows visitors to view a collection of astronaut
photographs of Earth as seen from the current location of the
International Space Station.

Please note all times are local. NASA center events include:

NASA Headquarters, Washington
Sunday, April 19 (12 – 7 p.m. EDT) – NASA is participating in the
Earth Day Celebration at the National Mall with an exhibit on a wide
range of environmental issues as seen from space, including air
pollution, urban development, hurricanes, and dust storms. Visitors
to the booth will be able to meet NASA Earth scientists and see NASA
satellite images of Earth.

Wednesday, April 22 (1 p.m. EDT) – In honor of Earth Day and the 40th
Anniversary of the Apollo program, NASA will take part in an event at
the National Arboretum in Washington to plant a moon sycamore tree.
The tree was grown from a second-generation seed from seeds flown to
the moon and returned to Earth by the crew of Apollo 14 in 1971.

Ames Research Center at Moffet Field, Calif.
Tuesday, April 21 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT) – A technology expo sponsored
by the NASA Research Park and the NASA Ames Innovative Partnerships
Program will showcase technologies related to exploration and
sustainability. More than 40 exhibits will be on display underscoring
NASA’s vision of leveraging technology for a cleaner, greener Earth.

Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif.
Tuesday, April 21 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. PDT) – View a model of the
unmanned Ikhana aircraft. Ikhana was instrumental in assisting
emergency response efforts during recent California wildfires. The
public also will see high-altitude life-support demonstrations and
can attend several educational activities and presentations.

Glenn Research Center in Cleveland
Sunday, April 19 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. EDT) – A variety of educational
displays will be at the Cleveland Metro Park Zoo.

Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
Wednesday, April 22 (10 a.m. and 2 p.m. EDT) – NASA Goddard Digital
Learning Network presents two webcasts for students and teachers of
“Bella Gaia” (Beautiful Earth), a unique multimedia journey of Earth
from space by director and violinist Kenji Williams. The performance
will be broadcast live. For more information, visit
http://dln.nasa.gov .

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PDT) – JPL
will join a celebration of our ocean planet at the ninth annual Earth
Day event at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif. The
event will include exhibits and handouts highlighting NASA’s Earth
science research.

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Wednesday, April 22 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m. EDT) – Local and county
government officials will showcase their environmental activities.
Topics will include natural resources, energy conservation,
recycling, alternative fuel vehicles and environmentally friendly
products.

Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
Saturday, April 18 (1 p.m. EDT) – Presentation on “Looking at Earth
from Space” at the Virginia Zoo’s “Party for the Planet: Earth Day at
the Zoo.”

Tuesday, April 21 (7 p.m. EDT) – Lecture on “Satellite Observations of
Air Pollution: Local Impacts Seen from a Global Perspective” at
Thomas Nelson Community College’s Espada Conference Center in
Hampton.

Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
Tuesday, April 21 (10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT) – The theme of Marshall’s
Earth Day event for employees and contractors is water stewardship,
with the slogan “Just one drop, priceless.” A taste test is planned
using water recycled through the Environmental Control and Life
Support System used on the International Space Station. A vendor fair
will be held highlighting environmentally friendly products. Special
guests include local area mayors.

Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss.
Wednesday, April 22 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CDT) – Energy awareness displays
and a video presentation highlighting the “green building” aspects of
the center’s new Emergency Operations Center. Activities also will
feature raffles, environmentally focused games, cell phone recycling
and other environment-friendly exercises.

Wallops Flight Research Facility on Wallops Island, Va.
Saturday, April 18 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m. EDT) – Several events will be
held in collaboration with the Salisbury Zoo. The theme “Rockets and
Critters” focuses on protecting threatened and endangered species
while operating a NASA launch range.

For information about the NASA and agency activities, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov