Native crown for Olympians

Botanical gardens in 15 countries are running a competition for 11-19-year olds to design a 2012 Olympic garland that contains native species.

Organisers hope it will help raise awareness about the threats facing the biodiversity. Winning entries will be on display in London while the city plays host to the 2012 Games.

The Plant Champions competition, a brainchild of Tanni Grey-Thompson, UK’s most successful paralympian, is organised by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International in partnership with Fairchild Challenge, an environmental group in the US. It closes in April next year.