An essay, poem and photo are among the winners of this year's Rachel Carson Contest. The third annual intergenerational contest reflects Carson's efforts through her writings to have adults share with children a sense of wonder about nature and help them discover its joys. This year, dance was a new category for entries.

The winners include an essay titled "A Fish with a Crab;" a poem called "Place of Peace;” a mixed media entry entitled "Pop-pop's Garden;" untitled photo of a sunset on a beach; and a video by the Intergenerational School, Judson Park Assisted Living and the Shaker Nature Center.

Intergenerational teams, including the young and the old, explored the natural world to create their projects. Finalists in each category were selected by an intergenerational team of judges. The finalists were judged based on originality, its intergenerational teamwork and how the project brought the team in touch with the natural world.

The public selected the winners. More than 1,600 individuals from all over the country and world cast their ballots for the winners. The contest was sponsored by EPA, Generations United, the Dance Exchange, Inc. and the Rachel Carson Council Inc. Carson is considered the founder of the contemporary environmental movement.