8 September 2009

Students from the Bowen region who are focused on combating climate change will take part in environmental activities today (9 September 2009) at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian School's Future Leaders Eco Challenge (FLEC).

This year's travelling education road show themed 'Kids Combat Climate Change' will give school students the chance to come together to share ideas, learn from each other and showcase their school and community sustainability initiatives.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Guardian Schools Program Manager Megan Sperring said she was very impressed with the local schools' environmental projects and how committed they were to protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

“As part of the FLEC program of events, we will be travelling between different local project sites, showcasing impressive activities schools and community organisations are undertaking to improve sustainability practices in the region," she said.

"By taking students to different locations we will be exposing them to a variety of environmental projects which will assist students to think outside the square and encourage them to come up with activities they can implement at their own schools."

Scott Hardy Program Manager from the Whitsunday Regional Council said the FLEC would support and enhance environmental activities and initiatives already being implemented in the region.

"As a Reef Guardian Council we are always looking to improve local sustainability measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef," he said.

"It is clear that Bowen students care about the Great Barrier Reef and are doing some terrific work in their schools and in the wider community to improve the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef."

The Bowen FLEC is one of 14 taking place over the next three months across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

The Bowen FLEC is an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) supported by Bunnings, NQ Dry Tropics, Queens Beach Action Group and the Bowen Burdekin Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Committee (BBIFMAC).