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Public Involvement Network News
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Now You Can Vote For The Winner Of The Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest
Last year in May, the world celebrated the 100th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s life. She was an American biologist who cared deeply about the natural world around her.
Carson is considered to be the founder of the contemporary environmental movement through her landmark book, "Silent Spring." Using the title of another of Carson's books, "The Sense of Wonder," the contest sought submissions "that best express the 'Sense of Wonder' that you feel when observing the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes."
In The Sense of Wonder, Ms. Carson wrote "There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after the night and spring after the winter." And it is also important to remember how nature can serve as a source of strength, as she noted with the comment from the book, that, "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."
To honor this amazing woman, the EPA, Generations United, and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., are sponsoring the Second Annual Rachel Carson Intergenerational photo, essay, and poetry contest. Submissions were due by Monday, June 16, 2008. A panel of judges selected the finalists.
Now everyone can vote [until September 15] for their favorite in each of four categories: photography, essay, poetry and mixed media media (photography and a poem or essay). Finalists were selected based on originality, creativity, use of an intergenerational team, and ability to capture a sense of wonder.
The contest's intergenerational approach reflects Carson's efforts through her writing to have adults share with children a sense of wonder about nature and help them discover its joys. The deadline for voting is Sept. 15 and the winners will be announced in October.
To register, view and read the finalists’ submittals, and cast your votes in each category, go here.
The winners will be posted on the websites of: EPA, Generations United, and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc