The Great Barrier Reef is home to a tremendous diversity of marine life, and this presentation will introduce you to a selection of amazing reef creatures. We will look to highlight their adaptations for survival, as well as their particular roles on the reef and how these contribute to maintaining a healthy Reef ecosystem.

All registrants will be sent a unique link to connect to the webinar on the day.

Thu 1 Sep, 11am: Register to attend - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JOvpg4COQ7qcF_rhzzcwDQ

Fri 23 Sept, 8am: Register to attend -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_V_MgdMYnQ6egHrhrMDhAOQ

The 2022 Eco Challenge is open to all Reef Guardian Schools and schools round the world!

Challenge Overview
The new Reef Guardian Schools Eco Challenge aims to build student capacity for eco-entrepreneurship, inquiry learning, real-world problem solving, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) innovation.

The focus of the challenge is for students to explore the current and future issues facing the Great Barrier Reef and its connected ecosystems, and work together to develop an eco-friendly idea that could help protect the Reef for future generations. It could be a sustainable product, service, app, or technology for use in your school, home, or local community. Students will work in teams consisting of two to four people and will prepare a two-minute video pitch to explain how their business idea will help address the issue they have identified. Teams can only submit one video pitch.

The Challenge:
The Reef Authority is seeking support from a new eco-friendly business to help address an environmental issue facing the Great Barrier Reef. In teams of 2 to 4 students, you will need to:
1) Research a current issue relating to the Great Barrier Reef
2) Use your STEAM skills to identify a possible solution to the issue
3) Prepare a 2-minute video pitch to explain how your eco-friendly business idea will help address the issue
4) Upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, or your school's social media page and email the link to reefguardians@gbrmpa.gov.au

Throughout the challenge, registered teams will get the chance to attend a virtual presentation by an Australian entrepreneur to learn how they turned their idea into a successful eco-friendly business.

Teachers and Home-school parents, register your student teams today - https://forms.office.com/r/ABcqpkRm2c. Once registered, you will be emailed the Eco Challenge Handbook which includes fantastic resources to inspire your budding eco-entrepreneurs.

You can access the Eco Challenge Handbook - https://bit.ly/3S8HKmP

Key Dates:
Challenge starts: Monday 15 August 2022
Challenge ends: Monday 31 October 2022, 4:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time

Cost:
Free for all teams to enter.

Winning Entries:
Winners will be announced the week after the submission deadline. Teachers/Homeschool educators from the winning submissions will be notified by phone and/or email. The winning submissions will appear on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Facebook and Reef Guardian Schools Educator Network Facebook page.

A regional winner will be selected by a panel of experts from Reef Guardian Councils and will receive a free virtual learning experience session for their class, a certificate, and a prize pack. The overall winner will then be selected by the Reef Authority’s Chief Scientist and receive a School Solar Buddy Class Pack, a free virtual learning experience, a certificate, and a prize pack of existing Reef Authority collateral.

Check out the handbook for tips and ideas on how to get students started and thinking through their ideas! We are excited to see all the creative and innovative ideas!

You may be chillin' with friends and family these Easter holidays, but it's important not to relax while out on the water and remain responsible to protect marine life.

Remember:
Do not feed fish, turtles or other marine life;
Do not throw scraps overboard; and
Never interfere with natural events.

Download the free Eye on Reef App now at the Apple Store or Google Play and help us to protect the Reef. https://bit.ly/348fKbV

Get the facts from the Reef Authority's Chief Scientist Dr David Wachenfeld as he explains exactly what coral bleaching is and isn't. Get the facts here: https://bit.ly/3tPasjc

Despite the fact that summer is now over a month behind us, the coral bleaching event, and our understanding of it, are still unfolding. The Reef Authority is working with partners to prioritise a sub-set of reefs for ongoing in-water surveys. These are providing more detailed information about bleaching intensity, mortality and the depth range of bleaching impacts. As with every summer, the final outcome of this bleaching event in terms of mortality will only be known after the next round of surveys from the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s Long-term Monitoring Program.