2026 Gardening and Wildlife Calendar
Our Calendar features 2026 Animal, Gardening and Sustainability Days that give us an excuse to celebrate! We focus on days that celebrate our pets, North American wildlife, and agriculture. You can click on the links to learn more about the animal or plant.
January
January 5: National Bird Day
January 6: Bean Day
January 21: Squirrel Appreciation Day
Last Saturday in January – National Seed Swap Day
Let's explore the ongoing battle between gray squirrels and red squirrels. Are gray squirrels really responsible for the decline of red squirrel populations? Join us as we explore the ecological impacts, competition for resources, and the effects of habitat loss on these iconic species.
February
World Whale Day - third Sunday of February
February 22–28: National Justice for Animals Week
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
February 22: National Wildlife Day
February 27: International Polar Bear Day
27 February: National Strawberry Day
Grizzly bears add great value to their environment. They are apex predators, an umbrella species, and contribute to the survival of other species. We will learn more about them, compare them to black bears, and find out some fun facts in this video.
March
March 1: National Pig Day
March 3: World Wildlife Day
March 12: Plant A Flower Day
March 15: Buzzards Day
March 20: World Frog Day
March 22: International Seal Day
March 22: World Water Day
March 23: World Bear Day
March 26: National Spinach Day
Manatee Appreciation Day - last Wednesday in March
March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day
March 31: National Tater Day
Bats have a bad reputation as evil creatures of the night. Let's talk about Little Brown bats, learn to identify them, and debunk some bat myths. We will also focus on ways to humanly evict them from your home and why you should put up a bat house.
April
April 3: World Aquatic Animal Day
April 4: World Stray Animals Day
April 4: International Carrot Day
April 4: World Rat Day
April 5: National Dandelion Day
April 6: National Tomato Day
April 7: International Beaver Day
April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day
April 14: National Gardening Day
April 17: Bat Appreciation Day
April 19: National Cat Lady Day
April 19: National Garlic Day
April 22: World Earth Day
April 25: World Penguin Day
April 26: World Veterinary Day
Last Wednesday in April – Stop Food Waste Day
Last Friday in April – Arbor Day
Red-tailed hawks are widespread throughout the United States and eat a variety of foods. You can see these birds along highways, in suburban parks, and in woodlands.
May
National Egg Month
National Strawberry Month
May 3: World Naked Gardening Day 2025 (varies, 1st Saturday in May)
May 8: Iris Day
May 9 | Migratory Bird Day (second Saturday in May)
May 10: Bird Day
Endangered Species Day - third Friday of May
May 16: Love a Tree Day
May 20: World Bee Day
May 20: National Pick Strawberries Day
May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity
May 22/October 24: World Fish Migration Day
May 23: World Turtle Day
May 25: World Otter Day
May 29: National Learn About Composting Day
May 31: World Parrot Day
The cougar or mountain lion is a large ambush predator that lives throughout the western US and down into South America. Cougars are often known as mountain lions, puma, catamount, and panthers depending on the region. Cougars are often feared because of their ability to move quickly and quietly. However, attacks by a cougar are statistically extremely rare. Learn what precautions you can take while hiking in their territory.
June
June 5: World Environment Day
June 8: World Oceans Day
June 10: National Herbs and Spices Day
June 11: International Lynx Day
June 12: National Cougar Day
June 12: Red Rose Day
June 14: World Cucumber Day
June 16: Fresh Vegetables Day
June 16: World Sea Turtle Day
June 17: Eat Your Vegetables Day
June 27: National Onion Day
American Bison (Not Buffalo) is an iconic symbol of the American West. Bison bring up many romantic ideals of a time gone by. A time when America was wild and free. American bison are the largest land mammals in North America. Did you know there are actually two subspecies in North America?
July
Monthly
Wild About Wildlife Month
July 6: World Zoonoses Day
July 7: World Chocolate Day
July 8: National Blueberry Day
July 10: National Kitten Day
July 10: Don't Step on a Bee Day
July 14: Shark Awareness Day
July 15: I Love Horses Day
July 16: World Snake Day
July 16: National Cherry Day
July 21: National Celery Day
Tiger sharks are a misunderstood apex predator patrolling U.S. coastal waters. Learn how these powerful animals function in our oceans.This overview examines the natural behaviors of tiger sharks and their critical role in marine ecosystems. By looking at their hunting patterns and ecological contributions, viewers will gain a clearer understanding of what it takes for these large predators to survive alongside human activity in shared habitats.
August
August 3: National Watermelon Day
August 8: National Zucchini Day
August 13: International Wolf Day
August 15: National Honey Bee Day
August 17: National Eggplant Day
Vultures. You may think they are gross, ugly, or remind you of death. But you have to admit they are truly unique animals. Learn more about the three vultures that live in the United States.
September
International Vulture Awareness Day - first Saturday of September
September 12: World Dolphin Day
September 17: International Eat An Apple Day
Fourth Saturday of September : International Rabbit Day -
September 28: World Rabies Day
October
October 1: World Vegetarian Day
October 2: World Farmed Animals Day
October 4: World Animal Day
October 16: World Food Day
October 21: National Reptile Awareness Day
October 24: Freshwater Dolphin Day
October 26: National Pumpkin Day
Do garter snakes make friends? Are they venomous? What's a Hibernaculum and how you can build one?
November
National Bison Day - first Saturday in November
November 1: World Vegan Day
December
December 4: Wildlife Conservation Day
December 5: World Soil Day
December 10: International Animal Rights Day
December 15: International Tea Day