WASHINGTON — NASA centers across the nation invite journalists and the public to see and hear about the agency’s contributions to exploring and protecting our home planet during this year’s Earth Day celebrations. A highlight of this year’s activities is a weeklong series of exhibits and talks on the National Mall in Washington.

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. NASA maintains the world’s 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’s Earth Day activities, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/earthday

All times are local. NASA center events include:

NASA Headquarters, Washington

Saturday, April 17 through Sunday, April 25 (11 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT) — NASA is participating in the Earth Day Celebration on the National Mall organized by the Earth Day Network. The NASA Village, adjacent to the Smithsonian Metro entrance on the Mall, will feature exhibits, presentations and opportunities to meet NASA Earth scientists throughout the week.

Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif.

Monday, April 19 (1-8 p.m. PDT) — Reporters and the public are invited to a Green Earth Forum at the Ames Exploration Center to listen to NASA scientists discuss their research and applications projects.

Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif.

Wednesday, April 28 (10 a.m.-2 p.m. PDT) — Highlights include exhibits and displays from a variety of environmental agencies, public utilities, conservation groups, and businesses and an opportunity to recycle personal electronics.

Glenn Research Center in Cleveland

Sunday, April 18 (10 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT) — Displays at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will focus on the use of space and aeronautics technology for sustainable energy on Earth, including the NASA-led Renewable Hydrogen Today project to construct a hydrogen fueling station at the Great Lakes Science Center.

Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

Monday, April 19 (1-2 p.m. EDT) — Goddard’s Digital Learning Network will broadcast a performance of “Bella Gaia” (Beautiful Earth), a multimedia journey across our planet that combines views of Earth from space, scientific visualization and an original score from director and composer Kenji Williams. NASA scientist Christopher Shuman also provides a first-hand look at the changing face of Antarctica. The performance will be broadcast and streamed live on NASA TV’s Education channel at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Thursday, April 22 (10-11 a.m. PDT) — A live text-based Earth Day Web chat geared toward students in third through eighth grades will feature Mike Gunson, project scientist for NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 mission, who will answer questions about how NASA is studying Earth’s climate.

Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25 (9 a.m.-5 p.m. PDT) — JPL will join the Earth Day celebration at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif. The event will include exhibits and handouts on NASA’s Earth science research.

Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

Thursday, April 22 (4-5 p.m. EDT) — NASA scientist Thomas Charlock will discuss global climate change with teachers during a live webcast on the Digital Learning Network at: http://dln.nasa.gov/dln.

Saturday, April 24 (10 a.m.-3 p.m. EDT) — Exhibits and speakers will be at the Virginia Zoo’s “Party for the Planet: Earth Day at the Zoo” in Norfolk, Va.

Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Thursday, April 22 (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CDT) — Activities on the theme “reducing our carbon footprint” include a talk about energy by an expert from the Tennessee Valley Authority, a tree-planting ceremony and an environmental vendor exposition.

Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Tuesday, April 27 (8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. CDT) — An environmental workshop for elementary school teachers, “Helping Our Planet Earth: It’s Up to You and Me,” includes classroom activities about animal habitats, “green” tips, recycling, and other topics.