4 June 2007

Protecting and educating students about the Great Barrier Reef has proved a recipe for success for a Queensland marine management agency that scooped a prestigious award at the weekend.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) won the Excellence in Marine and Coastal Management Award at the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards 2007.

GBRMPA Chairman Virginia Chadwick said the national award recognised the agency’s high standard in environment impact management, planning and education.

“Winning this award is fantastic in acknowledging how marine and coastal management is helping ensure the future of the Great Barrier Reef,” she said.

“For more than thirty years, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has been the custodian of this national treasure on behalf of all Australians.

“Our Planning and Environmental Impact Management team play a key role in managing Reef activity, assessing environmental impacts, issuing permits and developing Plans of Management that provide protection for high-use areas.

“Our highly-successful Reef Guardian Schools programme is also helping build a new generation of environmental stewards passionately committed to protecting the Reef.”

More than 100 schools and 52 000 students participate in the highly successful programme that aims to achieve a sustainable future of the environment and Great Barrier Reef.

Students are involved in a range of environmental projects including revegetating wetlands, recycling and conducting beach clean-ups.

Ms Chadwick said the award recognised the value of this programme and the agency’s partnership with industry and local government.

“Community involvement is central to spreading the environmental message and building support for marine and coastal management,” Ms Chadwick said.

“Our close partnership with industry and local government is also proving invaluable in helping ensure the Marine Park is used and managed sustainably.”

 On World Environment Day (5 June) the United Nations Association of Australia focuses attention on the environment and positive programmes that work towards protecting or restoring natural heritage.

The awards recognise the environmental effort of businesses, local governments, schools, community groups, individuals and the media and focus on the time-honoured theme: ‘think global, act local.’