11 February 2011

St Patrick's College on The Strand is set to receive a funding boost to further their environmental activities.

 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Guardian Schools Education Officer Carolyn Luder said students and teachers from St Patrick's College will be presented with $500 as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Ripples of Change seed funding grants on Monday 14 February 2011.

 "The school has been an active participant in the Reef Guardian Schools program and will use this funding to further its environmental activities," Ms Luder said.

 "In partnership with another Reef Guardian, Townsville City Council, teachers and students will revegetate a new stormwater drain behind their school and provide signage to help educate the community about protecting stormwater drains and their impact on water quality."

 "Other worthy recipients include Annandale Christian College, Townsville Community Learning Centre, Townsville State High School, Weir State School, Woodstock State School, and 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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