Thursday 17 November 2005

Students from Glenmore State School will be presented with a Reef Guardian ‘Aquaclic’ tomorrow (18 November) recognising their commitment to minimise water usage within their school in an effort to protect the Great Barrier Reef and other marine environments.

GBRMPA National Education Manager, Angela Colliver said Reef Guardian students and teachers are making the commitment to minimise water consumption because they realise how this can benefit the Reef.

“The Aquaclic reduces water flow by up to 50 per cent and reduced water use enables more environmental flows in natural waterways leading to the Reef and the ethic of water conservation is part of the bigger picture of 'Doing our bit to protect it',” Ms Colliver said.

Glenmore State School is a part of the Reef Guardian School programme, an education initiative by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) that encourages students and teachers to make a difference to help keep the Great Barrier Reef great for the future.

Almost 50 Reef Guardian Schools have committed to reducing water consumption in their school and each will receive a free ‘Reef Guardian Aqua Clic’ to attach to their chosen tap.

Glenmore State School Reef Guardian Co-ordinating teacher John Doherty said making the commitment to reduce water consumption in the school is just one of the ways they are helping to protect the Reef.

“The students are also involved in a field study of their local creek area and will soon be visiting North Keppel Island environmental education centre and will go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to learn more about their environment and how to care for it,” Mr Doherty said.

Other schools in the region who have received Reef Guardian ‘Aquaclics’ include: Byfield State School, Mt Chalmers State School, Nerimbera State School, Emu Park State School, Comet State School, North Keppel Island Environmental Education Centre and Glenmore State School.

There are currently 187 schools participating in the Reef Guardian School programme throughout Queensland.

The presentation to Glenmore State School will be held on Friday November 18 2005 at 9:00am, with the Regional Liaison Officer at the GBRMPA, Kalair Conaghan attending.