Reef Ecologic are excited and proud to announce that we have been successful on our application for a Community Reef Protection Grant through the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Coral reefs are facing unprecedented threats from a combination of climate change and local pressures. People can make a difference to reef health by reducing threats and improving our understanding of, and connection to, our local coral reefs. Local community groups along the Great Barrier Reef have been awarded $1.4 million under the Community Reef Protection Grants Stage 1 for projects that will contribute to improving Reef health.
The project aims to collaborate with existing citizen science organisations utilising complementary reef monitoring projects (Eye on the Reef, Reef Check, Coral Watch) to expand our knowledge and share information regarding the health of the reef in the Townsville region including Magnetic and Palm Islands. This grant will increase the ability of monitoring groups to work together, support multiple methods and deliver a broader suite of not only ecological, but also socio-economic information from their monitoring activities.
Strategic engagement of Reef stakeholders will improve the involvement and support of local communities in monitoring, protecting, and sustainably using the Reef, through citizen science and associated monitoring programs. We plan to work with a number of local organisations including the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council Reef Check Australia, Coralwatch, GBR Legacy, James Cook Uni the Museum of Underwater Art and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority through its Eye on the Reef Program.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to leverage the expertise of citizen science monitoring groups to work together and improve the outcomes, both social and ecological, for the Townsville region of the Great Barrier Reef.” said Assoc Prof. Adam Smith, Director of Reef Ecologic. “Our hope is that everyone’s passion and enthusiasm for the Reef will be supported through opportunities to participate in this project.”
A full list of grant recipients is available at https://www.barrierreef.org/science-with-impact/reef-partnership/community-grants-stage-1-reef-citizen-science-grant-program
The Integrated Coral Reef Citizen Science Program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
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Media contacts:
Nathan Cook nathan.cook@reefecologic.org 0437 318802
Assoc Prof Adam Smith adam.smith@reefecologic.org 0418 726584
Images available on request
