How does your school or teachers connect students to the reef to promote CARE?

Teach conservation and respect for the environment, the world's oceans and its interconnected ecosystems (i.e. coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds)

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)

Presentation by an marine related organisation

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).

Which Reef Authority resources were used to help students LEARN?

Marine Park Zone and permits

Which LEARN topics were covered this year?

Climate change

Water quality

Coastal development and ecosystem restoration

Marine Data analysis

Animal features and adaptations

The Great Barrier Reef

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)

Litter free lunches (i.e. plastic free lunch)

Education on assembly, newsletters and posters (i.e. educate school community with a talk at assembly, newsletters and posters)

ACT Reducing waste and recycling

Compost Bins

Worm Farms

Recycling program (i.e. start a recycling program at your school)

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

School energy audit and/or reduction (i.e. look at the amount of energy your school uses and make a plan to reduce it)

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

ACT Engage in a community/school challenge

Presentation to whole school by external partner

Celebrate Environmental days (i.e. World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle Week etc).

ACT Citizen Science Projects

Excursions to local waterway, parks, farms, reef

How did you SHARE your achievements, messaging or achievements?

Publicise within the school community (e.g. assembly, newsletters, social media)

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?

Visit the inshore or outer reef for a local field trip and enter in data to ensure it is citizen science data

Significantly enhance a local water way with tree planting and ongoing monitoring

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

Implementing the Reef Guardian School Program had a positive influence on increasing wellbeing and attendance or sense of belonging for students.

Be an active Reef Guardian School by completing an annual action plan >3 years in a row

If a member of the community was to ask, the majority of teachers and students would b e able to explain what it meant to be a Reef Guardian School.