How does your school or teachers connect students to the reef to promote CARE?
Have displays and nature positive messaging in the classroom/ school
Teach conservation and respect for the environment, the world's oceans and its interconnected ecosystems (i.e. coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds)
Students can list how their own actions can positively or negatively impact reef related ecosystems.
Make connections with First Nation Peoples and their connection to land and sea
Students make connections with their country's or local indigenous/native culture and history about the reef
Students reflect on their own connection to the reef and marine ecosystems
Presentation by an marine related organisation
Whole School invited to the Tangaroa Blue Beach Clean Up - 65 students, staff and parents attended.
Which Reef Guardian School Program curriculum resources were used to help students LEARN?
Environmental days (World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle week).
Reef Guardian activities embedded into school work programs.
First Nations guest speakers spoke to Year 1 & 4 students about connection to Country and traditional land management strategies. Small groups of students went to different ecological leadership days and a tour of the TSV recycling depot.
Which Reef Authority resources were used to help students LEARN?
Reef Authority Educational Videos (i.e. Classification of Reef Creatures, Great Barrier Reef Aquarium YouTube channel, Reef Authority Youtube channel)
Traditional Use Marine Resource Agreement (TUMRA)
Tourism
Which LEARN topics were covered this year?
Climate change
Responsible reef practices and marine life and boating dangers
Water quality
Marine debris
Target animals (e.g. turtles)
Conservation
Animal features and adaptations
Indigenous culture and histories
ACT Marine Debris
Marine debris clean-up (i.e. clean up a local beach/river/creek, clean up Australia Day)
Litter reduction in school (i.e. clean up proactive program)
Education on assembly, newsletters and posters (i.e. educate school community with a talk at assembly, newsletters and posters)
Litter surveys and data gathering (data can be entered into Tangaroa Blue website)
ACT Reducing waste and recycling
School waste audit/source reduction plan (i.e. look at the amount of waste your school produces and make a plan to reduce it)
Bin stencilling (e.g. paint nature positive messages on school bins)
Compost Bins
Recycling program (i.e. start a recycling program at your school)
ACT Reducing energy
Using/installing solar
Encourage students to turn off electrical equipment when not in use (i.e. lights, fans,)
ACT Gardens and habitat restoration
School kitchen garden (i.e. garden that produces fruit and vegetables for your schools tuckshop)
Upkeep native garden or produce garden
Take an opportunity to immerse your class in nature
Take photos of the school's nature and learn about its importance
ACT Engage in a community/school challenge
Participate in a local or international interschool STEM or environmentally focused event/challenge
In-school challenge (i.e. environmental education challenge in school)
External challenge (i.e. participate in external environmental challenge)
Celebrate Environmental days (i.e. World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle Week etc).
ACT Citizen Science Projects
Tangaroa Blue Australian Marine Debris Initiative
Excursions to local waterway, parks, farms, reef
Who did you SHARE or collaborate with in the community?
Your local government (i.e. councils, municipalities, locality)
Traditional Owner organisation or First Nations Groups/Organisations
Your country's or local indigenous/native groups
Catchment based industry/business (e.g. local nursery or gardening business)
Marine park based or your local stakeholder organisation (e.g. Reef Check)
Catchment based or your local stakeholder organisation (e.g. Creek Watch)
How did you SHARE your achievements, messaging or achievements?
Use of education resources provided by partner organisation (excluding the Reef Authority)
Family/community participation in ‘school led’ environmental activity/project
Publicise within the school community (e.g. assembly, newsletters, social media)
Share learning environmental experiences/resources with other schools
How did you SHARE Reef Guardian School Program membership?
Display RGS Fence sign
How did your school Care, Learn, Act and Share to promote the next generation of reef STEWARDs?
Learn and protect cultural heritage values of Great Barrier Reef Sea country or your local culturally significant reef
Significantly reduce marine pollution
Complete at least one action from Care, Learn, Act and Share
Change the mind set of students to instil life long learning and positive nature behaviours
Be an active Reef Guardian School by completing an annual action plan >3 years in a row