FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch today announced Trinity Anglican School as a recipient of the Reef Guardian Schools Ripples of Change grant.
Trinity Anglican School has been recognised for its focus on protecting the Great Barrier Reef health in 2017.
The school receives $500 funding toward their efforts to combat challenges to the marine environment. Projects include revegetating local waterways, reducing energy use, improving recycling habits and cleaning up beaches.
“The program encourages and enables students to learn about and care for their local environment and promote real change in their communities,” said Mr Entsch.
“Our children are the future custodians of the Great Barrier Reef and this program plays a significant role in empowering them and providing opportunities for them to develop into environmental community leaders.
“It’s great to see the students getting involved and taking a hands on approach to protect the Great Barrier Reef.”
All grant winners are located in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area from Hervey Bay to Cairns.
Winners were chosen based on their project’s ability to address one of the five key threats to the Reef ? climate change, declining water quality, coastal development, impacts of fishing and marine debris. Actions of school projects will also contribute to the Reef 2050 Plan.
The grants, aimed at assisting small-scale stewardship projects at a school level, encourage Reef stewardship, citizen science projects and promote local partners and stakeholder collaboration.
GBRMPA Reef Guardian Schools are recognised as community leaders in sustainable living and environmental management of local creeks, catchments and coastline. The program will be in its fifteenth year in 2017.
All schools are encouraged to get involved with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s programs and take advantage of funding opportunities.
For more information on the Ripples of Change grant visit: www.gbrmpa.gov.au
