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 reflect on their own connection to the reef and marine ecosystems
Develop and practice snorkelling skills (theory and pool)
Students explore Marine career pathways or participate in marine related work experience
Which Reef Guardian School Program curriculum resources were used to help students LEARN?
Reef Guardian teaching units
Reef Guardian Reef Beat Education Series
Eye on the Reef Rapid Monitoring
Environmental days (World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle week).
Coral watch
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)
GBRMPA elibrary- journals and various documents
Crown of Thorns Starfish Program
Marine Park Zone and permits
Tourism
Official publications like Reef 2025, Reef 2030, reef health updates, snapshot reports
Data for analysis
Which LEARN topics were covered this year?
Climate change
Responsible reef practices and marine life and boating dangers
Water quality
Coastal development and ecosystem restoration
Marine debris
Marine management and zones
Marine Data analysis
Fishing and overfishing
Marine Biology
The Great Barrier Reef
Agricultural and farming
Urban development
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
Plastic straw removal or drinks with plastic straws
Keeping chickens - feeding them food scraps
ACT Water conservation
Plant a water smart garden (i.e. a combination of advanced sprinkler technology and systems that monitor moisture-related conditions to adjust watering to optimal levels)
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
Aquaponics or hydroponics
Upkeep native garden or produce garden
Take an opportunity to immerse your class in nature
Aquarium set up (e.g. Red claw)
ACT Engage in a community/school 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
Coral Watch
Marine Monitoring Program- water quality
Excursions to local waterway, parks, farms, reef
Who did you SHARE or collaborate with in the community?
Marine park based or your local industry/business (e.g. tourism operation)
Catchment based industry/business (e.g. local nursery or gardening business)
Collaborate with another school in conservation activity or learning opportunity
Get important conservation messages out to the public via Art galleries or other public forums.
How did you SHARE your achievements, messaging or achievements?
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
Case study and share evidence of Reef Guardian student pathway into marine science
On share information via social media or word of mouth
How did your school Care, Learn, Act and Share to promote the next generation of reef STEWARDs?
Visit the inshore or outer reef for a local field trip and enter in data to ensure it is citizen science data
Support Reef Restoration activities with local partners at a site on the reef or your local marine protected area
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
Significantly decrease carbon footprint
Change the mind set of students to instil life long learning and positive nature behaviours
Students and families want to enrol in the school because of its great work as a Reef Guardian School
Significantly increase opportunities for students to Connect, Care, Learn, take actions and share achievements.
Be an active Reef Guardian School by completing an annual action plan >10 years in a row