Students at St Mary's Catholic College will 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 grant would allow students to continue and expand their environmental projects.

"St Mary's Catholic College has been actively involved in the Reef Guardian Schools program and has been recognised for their commitment to cleaning up one of the last remaining wetlands on the Fraser Coast," she said.

"Students will be volunteering time each week to work with Landcare to regenerate the wetlands and this funding will provide the students with the necessary equipment such as shovels and gloves.

"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.