Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark has announced the launch of the sixth annual Earth Day Essay Challenge, inviting fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students across the state to participate. The challenge is open to all eligible students, including those who are home-schooled.
“I look forward to this essay challenge every year. These essays provide hope for the future and make me especially proud of our state,” Attorney General Clark said. “It’s inspiring to see the ideas, passion, creativity, and research that the students provide in their essays. I also really appreciate the teachers who inspire and support these students in their work.”
Students can submit an essay or other forms of writing such as stories, poems, or biographical pieces about someone. Suggested topics include what participants love about Vermont’s environment, how they enjoy it, what concerns they have for its future, what Earth Day means to them, and ideas for protecting natural resources. There is no requirement to address all suggested topics.
The submission period is open until April 17, 2026. All entries will be posted on the Vermont Attorney General Office’s website on Earth Day (April 22), with each participant’s first name and school listed unless a request is made not to post an entry publicly. Essays from previous years are also available online.
Additional information about participation and submission guidelines can be found on the Earth Day Essay Challenge webpage.
