Belgian Gardens State School scooped an environmental accolade for protecting their local environment and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) presented the school with $1000, as part of the annual Reef Guardian Schools Awards.

GBRMPA Reef Guardian Director Karen Vohland said the school earned the Bright Sparks Award for their creative and innovative approach to protecting the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Our Reef Guardian School students are the future custodians of the Great Barrier Reef and these awards acknowledge their efforts caring for their local environment and promoting real change in their communities,” she said.

“It’s about empowering students and giving them a sense of involvement in the bigger environmental picture, encouraging them to make a positive difference.”

Brett Murphy, teacher, Belgian Gardens State School said the Bright Sparks Award had recognised the hard work of the school and his student’s commitment to the environment.

“We have successfully bred black clown fish that can be sold to local aquariums to substitute the demand for live fish caught from the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Murphy said.

“Students are trained to look after the fish through the entire raising process and they have developed a big sense of ownership of this project.”

Other Annual Awards winners include Holloways Beach Environmental Education Centre, Redlynch State College, Cleveland District State High School, Kidz at the Beach (Bowen), The Hall State School, North Rockhampton State High School, Hervey Bay State High School, Beaconsfield State School and Kalkie State School.

More than 285 schools and over 113,000 students take part in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Schools program across Queensland.

Each school undertakes a variety of activities aimed at improving the Reef’s health and resilience.