24 February 2011

Students from Mercy College in Mackay will be rewarded tomorrow for their commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Regional Liaison Officer Carolyn Thompson welcomed the announcement that Mercy College had taken out the prestigious 2010 'Learning Legends' Reef Guardian Schools Award.

"Mercy College has shown real commitment to learning about the environment with 15 marine conservation and ecology units studied in 2010," Ms Thompson said.

"Students study environmental subjects at all year levels and the school has an active environmental club.

"Last year students designed shorebird protection posters for the Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group, created a bird and butterfly garden and planted native trees in the school grounds.

"Their next ambitious project is to build a 3D model of their catchment to showcase water quality issues.

"As winners of the 'Learning Legends' Reef Guardian Schools Award they will receive a funding grant of $1000 to further their onground projects and implement their Reef Guardian Action Plan.

"I'd like to congratulate the Mercy College community for being leaders in helping to ensure one of Australia's greatest natural icons is protected for future generations."

The annual awards recognise the activities of Reef Guardian schools across 10 categories and recognise the high standards of achievement made by these schools throughout the year.

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

In its ninth year, this education program currently sees more than 60 000 students from over 230 schools committed to the protection and conservation of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.

Ends...