Several community groups in the Bundaberg Region have been awarded funding to help improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
Among the successful applicants, Lady Musgrave Experience will be assisted to develop a “Reef Guardians for Generations” program.
The main objectives are to build a local community of citizen scientists and Reef custodians.
This will be achieved by providing opportunities for children, teachers, tourism professionals, traditional owners and the wider community to become involved and share their experiences in monitoring and protecting the Reef through citizen science.
The project will build on existing data, monitoring and events while empowering people to be conservation leaders and ambassadors for the Reef in their community.
The project will foster the creation of citizen scientists for life, and Reef custodians for generations.
The application was supported by Gidarjil Development Corporation, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, University of Queensland/CoralWatch, Kalkie State School and Bundaberg Regional Council.
Council's environment portfolio holder, Cr Wayne Honor, said Council was pleased to support this application and he congratulated Lady Musgrave Experience on their successful bid.
“It’s expected this program will lead to a higher number of trained and active citizen scientists to establish a long term, ongoing community conservation and monitoring culture,” he said.
“Improved knowledge and awareness of reef health and conservation will deliver enduring positive outcomes.”
Less is more: Seeding behaviour change
Bundaberg Local Marine Advisory Committee received funds for its
“#LessIsMore – Seeding behaviour change in the Bundaberg community” project.
The project is supported by Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Gidarjil Development Corporation, Kalkie State School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bundaberg Regional Council, Canegrowers Bundaberg and Bargara State School.
The #LessisMore pilot project will target single-use plastics for primary schools by teaching students how to make beeswax wraps; encouraging smokers to “vote for the Reef” by placing their butt in a bin; and reducing the amount of plastic straws with a paper for plastic straw replacement program for local cafes and school tuckshops.
- Citizen scientists needed for ocean protection work
