Hervey Bay State High School has 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 Stakeholder Engagement and Stewardship Director Karen Vohland said the school earned the Habitat Heroes Award for improving their local environment.

“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.”

Hervey Bay State High School Teacher Terri Layt said it was a great honour to receive the Habitat Heroes Award.

“Hervey Bay State High School students have been working hard on their Farm Improvement Project, removing weeds, studying soil health and looking at ways of managing on site erosion issues,” Ms Layt said.

“By getting involved in real-world farming issues, students are gaining skills and knowledge that will assist them in being environmentally-aware landholders, farmers and agricultural managers.

“This project has created successful partnerships with local organisations and is a great example of active volunteering.”

Students Sam West and Greg Meyers were among those helping improve the environment around the school and in the community.

They held meetings to arrange excursions and learned about sustainability. They did this to help the land and water ecosystems within the Wide Bay Region.

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