Chance for kids to ‘draw up’ the eco trip of a lifetime

The naturalist’s notes and observations are littered with his own doodles – and now youngsters throughout the world can create one using the theme Trees of Life, a nod to his most famous one.

Darwin’s sketch demonstrates his theory that all organisms interact in hierarchical relationships.

Members of the late Sir David Amess’s Children’s Parliament launched the Global Darwin Art Competition in Darwin’s birthplace of Shrewsbury, Shrops. Entries must be in by February 12, 2024, the 215th anniversary of Darwin’s birth.

The young winner and an accompanying adult will make the trip of a lifetime to the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin made many of his most important discoveries.

Young artist Joe Whale, 13, known as The Doodle Boy, who helped launch the competition with comic artist Charlie Adlard, said: “We all need to be like Darwin, and learn and explore a lot more.”

The collaboration between The World’s Children’s Parliament, Shrewsbury Arts Trail and The Darwin Centre Wales is part of the Darwin 200 anniversary project.

The Children’s Parliament, backed by the Daily Express, online sharing site Wakelet and Microsoft 365, was launched in memory of Southend West Tory MP Sir David, who was stabbed to death in October 2021.