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
Visit an aquarium
Explore the mangrove and estuarine eco system that surrounds the school
Which Reef Guardian School Program curriculum resources were used to help students LEARN?
Reef Guardian activities embedded into school work programs.
Which Reef Authority resources were used to help students LEARN?
Traditional Use Marine Resource Agreement (TUMRA)
Marine Park Zone and permits
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
Target animals (e.g. turtles)
Conservation
Animal features and adaptations
Fishing and overfishing
Marine Biology
Indigenous culture and histories
The Great Barrier Reef
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)
Drain stencilling (e.g. positive nature messaging)
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)
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)
Bringing waste free lunches to school
Plastic straw removal or drinks with plastic straws
Compost Bins
Worm Farms
Recycling program (i.e. start a recycling program at your school)
ACT Water conservation
School water audit and/or reduction (i.e. look at the amount of water your school uses and make a plan to reduce it)
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)
Install water tank at school to use rainwater
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)
Using/installing solar
Energy monitors (i.e. track your schools energy usage)
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)
Aquaponics or hydroponics
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
Aquarium set up (e.g. Red claw)
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)
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
Mangrove Watch
Excursions to local waterway, parks, farms, reef
Great Australian Bird Count
Who did you SHARE or collaborate with in the community?
Your local government (i.e. councils, municipalities, locality)
Your state government (i.e. state schools and state environmental agencies)
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)
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?
Use the Reef Guardian Online Portal or Closed Facebook group to share your achievements or connect with other Reef Guardian Schools (i.e. photos, resources, organizing an interschool event)
Use of education resources provided by partner organisation (excluding the Reef Authority)
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)
Share learning environmental experiences/resources with other schools
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?
Learn and protect cultural heritage values of Great Barrier Reef Sea country or your local culturally significant reef
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
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
Be an active Reef Guardian School by completing an annual action plan >3 years in a row
Be an active Reef Guardian School by completing an annual action plan >10 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.