Over 90 participants from 16 Reef Guardian Schools in the Cairns region will swap the classroom for the outdoors today (Thursday 1 September 2011) when they take part in the 2011 Future Leaders Eco Challenge.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Regional Liaison Manager Doon McColl said the Future Leaders Eco Challenge, part of the GBRMPA's Reef Guardian Schools program, encourages students to step up as community leaders in sustainable living and protecting our environment.

"The theme of this year's Future Leaders Eco Challenge is 'working together today, for a healthier Reef tomorrow' and is designed to promote partnerships and relationship building between schools and regional environmental groups," Ms McColl said.

"The day will see students engaging in on ground activities like tree planting, water quality testing, macro invertebrate identification and wetland assessments."

Cairns Local Marine Advisory Committee Chairman and Councillor Paul Gregory said both the committee and council were delighted to support the Future Leaders Eco Challenge.

"The Cattana Wetlands is fantastic nature conservation park and is home to not only an array of water birds but also an impressive range of north Queensland wildlife and significant plant communities," Cr Gregory said.

"The Cattana Wetlands has been a long term restoration project by the Cairns Regional Council and previous Mulgrave Shire Council.

"This event will give students an opportunity to learn about the important role wetlands play in our community and how vitally important they are for a healthy Great Barrier Reef."

The Cairns Future Leaders Eco Challenge is supported by Cairns Regional Council, Barron River Catchment Management Association (Terrain NRM), Greening Australia and Conservation Volunteers.

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