26 July 2010

Students from Reef Guardian Schools across the Bundaberg region will take part in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's "Sustaining Biodiversity" Future Leaders Eco Challenge this Wednesday to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity 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 Baldwin Swamp 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.

"Approximately 35 students and teachers will participate in a vegetation assessment, water quality testing, macroinvertebrate sampling and bird identification, and learn how to maintain fish populations in wetlands."

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 both 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," she said.

This message is timely in the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity.

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Media opportunities Wednesday 28 July 2010:

What:      Students will be completing biodiversity audits at Baldwin Swamp during the day
Where:    Baldwin Swamp (access via Steindl Street), Bundaberg
Time:       10.00 am
Contact:  Megan Sperring, Reef Guardian Schools Program Manager

Media contact: 0408 195 198