The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had its non-profit partners announced the winners of this year’s Rachel Carson “A Sense of Wonder” Essay, Photography and Poetry Competition. One of the winners included a 17-year old student and his mother from Pennsylvania for a poetry entry.

The Pennsylvania entry was from Woody S. and his mother Vivienne who wrote a poem entitled, “The Wonder of Bees.” (EPA did not include their last names in the announcement.)

The contest's intergenerational approach reflects Rachael Carson's efforts through her writings to have adults share with children a sense of wonder about nature and help them discover its joys. There were over 150 entries and more than 1,000 votes were cast. Finalists in each category were selected by an intergenerational team of judges. The public selected the winners by voting for their favorite photos, poems and essays on the Aging Initiative website.

The contest was sponsored by the U.S. EPA Aging Initiative, Generations United and the Rachel Carson Council Inc.

Born on May 27, 1907, Carson is considered the founder of the contemporary environmental movement through her landmark book, Silent Spring. Its publication is credited with causing a reversal in the nation's pesticide policy.

The competition winners and the winning entries are available online.

7/27/2007