The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) will showcase its Reef management practices to some of Australia's most respected leaders when they are in Townsville for the 2011 Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Program.

The GBRMPA will present to a delegation of leaders on a field trip to Palm Island and Orpheus Island on Tuesday 13 September 2011.

GBRMPA Chairman Russell Reichelt said this was an excellent opportunity to discuss leadership and how it applies to the marine environment.

"We want to highlight the roles leaders can play in helping us safeguard the Reef from the pressures of climate change," Dr Reichelt said.

"By raising the leaders' awareness about the health of the Reef they may be able to contribute ideas that the GBRMPA can implement in management plans."

The trip includes leadership activities on Palm Island and a tour of the Orpheus Island Research Station.

The GBRMPA will host a Leadership, Engagement and Development Network Day at Reef HQ Aquarium, the national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef, on Saturday 17 September.

The conference follows a week of activities for participants, Foundation Fellows, members, the Foundation's sponsors and local leaders.

Guest speakers include Professor Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor James Cook University; Dr Geoff Garrett, Queensland Chief Scientist; and Dr Paul Porteous, Director of Centre for Social Leadership.

"Local leaders in the business and wider community will gain insights into the challenges facing leaders and how best to respond to challenges in remote, rural and regional Australia," Dr Reichelt said.

"The core aim of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is to create a network of leaders with compassion, commitment, strategic thinking and negotiating skills.

"It is hoped that our graduates will have the foresight to positively influence communities, industries, businesses and policy makers."