10 February 2011

A Townsville Reef Guardian School will be recognised tomorrow (11 February 2011) for the innovative environmental work they intend to undertake in 2011.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Guardian Schools Education Officer Carolyn Luder said students and teachers from Townsville State High School will be presented with $500 as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Ripples of Change seed funding grants.

 "The school has been an active participant in the Reef Guardian Schools program and will use this funding to further its environmental activities including expanding their water quality monitoring and rehabilitation activities on the creek adjacent to the V8 track," Ms Luder said.

As well as Townsville State High School, there have been a number of other schools in the area receiving a funding boost:

·         Annandale Christian College

·         Townsville Community Learning Centre

·         St Patrick's College

·         Weir State School

·         Woodstock State School

·         St Michael's Catholic School and Bwgcolman Community School on Palm Island.

The Reef Guardian Schools Ripples of Change grants consist of 20 x $500 grants which provide an opportunity for Reef Guardian Schools to undertake small environmental projects within their schools. Schools nominate a project that they would like to initiate and present a project plan to the GBRMPA. The selected schools are presented with their project funds early in the school year to allow them to complete their projects within the school year cycle.

Reef Guardian Schools is an environmental education program run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

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