Students from seven Reef Guardian Schools in the Ingham area will make their presence in the community felt tomorrow by participating in projects to improve their school's environmental sustainability as part of the 2011 Future Leaders Eco Challenge.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Reef Guardian Schools Officer Carolyn Luder said the Future Leaders Eco Challenge, part of the GBRMPA's Reef Guardian Schools program, encouraged 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 Luder said.

"The day will see students monitoring water quality, identifying wetland birds and ways to protect them, and exploring how healthy habitats protect wildlife at Tyto Wetlands."

The Bendigo Bank is providing a worm farm to one lucky school that attends the event as well as three student vouchers.

Hinchinbrook Local Marine Advisory Committee Chairman Geoff Giannotti said it was important communities took responsibility for Reef stewardship.

"The Ingham community have really got behind the Reef Guardian program with our council, schools and farmers all becoming involved in the initiative.

"The Hinchinbrook Local Marine Advisory Committee is really pleased to support our local Reef Guardian Schools who are proving that on ground actions can result in positive outcomes for our local environment and the Great Barrier Reef.

"We should all be very proud of our students who are showing they are indeed future leaders."

The event will be facilitated by local partners including Terrain Natural Resource Management, Education Queensland and the Earth Smart Science Program, Tyto Wetlands Centre and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, BSES, Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd, Herbert Resources Information Centre, Hands on Wildlife and Bendigo Bank.

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