Schools Take Action For Reef Conservation

Reef conservation is at the heart of Whitsunday schools, with the Whitsunday Regional Council leading waste minimisation programs across the region.

Working as part of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan (CAP), the council sought to begin reef protection and conservation with the region’s youngest, implanting carbon footprint reducing tactics in schools.

Primarily through reduction of food waste in schools, a Waste Education Officer conducted waste bin audits before constructing plans to mitigate the concerns they found.

Across the five schools visited, common priorities included organics excluded from landfill, reducing the amount of soft plastics discovered, and introducing recycling programs.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said the waste minimisation programs are a great tool to empower schools and to educate our community.

"It is more important than ever to ensure that the younger generation in our community understand the importance of sustainable waste management practices in order to preserve our environment and delicate ecosystems for years to come,” said Mayor Hall.

These school-based waste education programs have been really successful in educating our young residents on the difference they can make by following a few simple waste reduction steps.”

The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan detailed 10 community strategies to improve protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mackay Whitsunday Isaac CAP Leader Kellie Best said that over the past year, two of these strategies have progressed to on-ground projects in our region.  

The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

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Whitsunday Regional Council taking Reef Protection to region’s youngest. Photo supplied