2 February 2010

Students from a Townsville Reef Guardian School will use their very own wetland on their school grounds to learn about the important role wetlands play in protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

Coinciding with World Wetlands Day (2 February 2010), the students from the Cathedral School of St Anne and St James will take part in a range of educational environmental activities.

The activities, supported by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and NQ Dry Tropics, include testing water quality and designing posters to encourage the community to care for the environment.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February.

The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2010 is "Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Climate Change," and its focus is on Caring for our wetlands - an answer to climate change.

Wetlands are vital to the Great Barrier Reef - they protect our shores from waves, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and provide habitat for animals and plants.

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