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
Which Reef Guardian School Program curriculum resources were used to help students LEARN?
Reef Guardian STEM teaching units
Reef Guardian teaching units
Environmental days (World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle week).
Eco challenge
Reef Guardian activities embedded into school work programs.
Which Reef Authority resources were used to help students LEARN?
Marine Park Zone and permits
Official publications like Reef 2025, Reef 2030, reef health updates, snapshot reports
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
Target animals (e.g. turtles)
Conservation
Animal features and adaptations
Oceanography
Fishing and overfishing
Indigenous culture and histories
The Great Barrier Reef
Mangroves and Wetlands
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
Bringing waste free lunches to school
Bin stencilling (e.g. paint nature positive messages on school bins)
Compost Bins
Worm Farms
ACT Water conservation
Wicker beds (i.e. create wicker garden beds at your school)
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
Wetlands 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
Presentation to whole school by external partner
Implement a STEM Citizen Science project
Celebrate Environmental days (i.e. World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle Week etc).
ACT Citizen Science Projects
Mangrove Watch
Marine Monitoring Program- water quality
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
Marine park based or your local industry/business (e.g. tourism operation)
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?
Partner organisation participation in ‘school led’ environmental activity/project
Family/community participation in ‘school led’ environmental activity/project
Publicise within the school community (e.g. assembly, newsletters, social media)
Publicise to the broader community (e.g. media, community forums or conferences)
How did you SHARE Reef Guardian School Program membership?
Display RGS Fence sign
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
Significantly reduce marine pollution
Significantly enhance a local water way with tree planting and ongoing monitoring
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 2 years in a row