2 September 2010

Students from Reef Guardian Schools across the Mackay region will take part in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's "Sustaining Biodiversity" Future Leaders Eco Challenge next Monday to celebrate Biodiversity Month, National Landcare Week and the Education Queensland Year of Sustainability.

 Reef Guardian Schools Program Manager Megan Sperring said this year's Future Leaders Eco Challenge will encourage students to become wetland ecologists by combining workshop style catchment-based activities and investigative science to predict, observe and explain the ecosystem's health.

 "Students and teachers will explore the biodiversity of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens wetland ecosystem and look at what is there, why it is important, and who is responsible for looking after it," she said.

 "The activity has been designed to challenge students and teachers to understand linkages between ecosystems, sustainability and water quality for a greater understanding of the role that wetland's play in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area and the Reef's current and future resilience.

 "Over 40 students and teachers from seven schools will explore the ecosystem through activities such as water quality testing, native vegetation, macroinvertabrate and weed identification, and discover the biodiversity and mini beasts of the gardens.

 "They'll be ably assisted by participants from a number of groups including Pioneer Catchment and Landcare, Reef Catchments and a Reef Guardian themselves, Mackay Regional Council."

 Mackay Regional Council Community Services and Facilities portfolio and Acting Parks and Natural Environment portfolio councillor Karen May said the ‘Sustaining Biodiversity” Future Leaders Eco Challenge is a great opportunity for students to learn more about our wetland ecosystems.

 “Students will discover firsthand, through water quality testing and weed identification, the importance of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens wetland and its connection to other ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.”

 Councillor May hopes the experiences and the knowledge gained by students during the challenge will empower them to become environmental warriors.”

 “Our waterways will not survive or thrive unless our children adopt sustainable practices.”

 As a Reef Guardian Council, Mackay Regional Council is a proud supporter of the Future Leaders Eco Challenge.

 Ms Sperring said eight of the 15 Future Leaders Eco Challenges have now been completed with over 500 participants from over 90 Great Barrier Reef catchment schools taking part in the events.

 "The Reef Guardian Schools program is an education initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority that develops partnerships between schools and their communities to work towards a sustainable future for the Great Barrier Reef.

 "There are approximately 60 000 students across Queensland who are working on various environmental and sustainability projects throughout the year within their classrooms and playgrounds and in their local communities.

 "The key objective of the Reef Guardian Schools program is to create awareness, understanding and appreciation for the Reef and connected ecosystems.

 "It is designed to empower students and give them a sense of involvement in the bigger picture and the belief that they really can make a positive difference."

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