Two schools in Gympie will each receive $500 to further enhance their efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's (GBRMPA) Ripples of Change grants program.

GBRMPA Reef Guardian Director Karen Vohland said the grants would allow students at Gympie East State School and Gympie State High School to continue and expand on their environmental work.

"These schools have been actively involved in the Reef Guardian Schools program and have been recognised for environmental initiatives within their school communities," she said.

"Gympie East State School will use the funding to create a bush tucker garden, while Gympie State High School will purchase a worm farm, enabling the school to further reduce their food waste.

"Twenty $500 grants are awarded by the GBRMPA each year to assist Reef Guardian Schools to undertake small environmental projects within their school or community.

"Schools nominate a project they would like to initiate and present a project plan to the GBRMPA."

The selected schools receive their grants early in the year to allow them time to implement their projects within the school year cycle.

Reef Guardian Schools is an environmental education program run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

The program aims to create awareness, understanding and appreciation of the Great Barrier Reef and its connected ecosystems.