In school terms three and four of 2009, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) delivered 14 student environmental learning events across the State.  These events, called the Future Leaders Eco Challenge (FLEC), were delivered in partnership with regional stakeholders, environmental agencies and groups.

The Future Leaders Eco Challenge is a series of annual events organised by the GBRMPA for Reef Guardian Schools across the State.  Reef Guardian Schools have made a commitment to implement sustainability practices into their schools and work with their communities to look after their local environment.  Currently there are over 200 Reef Guardian Schools across Queensland.

Each year all Reef Guardian Schools are invited to participate in their local FLEC.  This year 88 schools participated in 14 FLECs held across the State.  The FLECs, entitled "Kids Combating Climate Change", were mostly in the form of 'travelling roadshows' where the students participated in a number of different hands-on environmental activities in different locations.  Activities included tree planting, water quality monitoring, macro-invertebrate sampling, environmental arts and beach clean ups.

FLECs in 2009 were held in Ayr, Gympie, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Yeppoon, Mackay, Whitsundays, Townsville, Bowen, Port Douglas, Cairns, Cooktown, Tully and Innisfail. Almost 500 students and teachers participated, together with over 30 stakeholder groups across the State.

Click here to download the FLEC 2009 Report .

On Friday the 16th of October, students from the Reef Guardian Schools in the Cape York area joined together to clean up the North Shore of Cooktown as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian School's Future Leaders Eco Challenge day.

Cooktown State School, Bloomfield River State School and Hope Vale State School students were greeted by Megan Sperring and Karlina Seekee, the organisers of the FLEC from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

The Cooktown Mayor, Peter Scott, also spoke to the students recognising that FLEC day was the first of its kind and a landmark towards conserving the future of our environment. After the morning introductions the students split into two teams and headed off to the two activities planned for the day, Water Quality Testing and Beach Clean Up.

Students ready to combat climate change will come together in Port Douglas tomorrow (13 October 2009) for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian School's Future Leaders Eco Challenge (FLEC).

This year's travelling education road show themed 'Kids Combat Climate Change' gives school students the chance to share ideas, learn from each other and showcase their school and community sustainability initiatives. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Guardian Schools Program Manager Megan Sperring said a range of innovative school sustainability projects would be showcased throughout the day.

“We have some very passionate Reef Guardian Schools in the Port Douglas area and this is a great opportunity for them to get together to learn from each other," she said. "Students participating in the FLEC will be travelling between different locations to see some impressive activities schools and community organisations are undertaking to improve sustainability practices in the region. By taking students to different locations, we will be exposing them to a wide variety of projects which will assist students to think outside the square and encourage them to come up with activities they can implement at their own schools."

Wonga Beach State School Reef Guardian Schools Coordinator Rick Weimar said the program was a fantastic initiative that inspired local students to protect the local environment.

"Our students are enthusiastic about protecting the Great Barrier Reef and it's great to see the next generation caring about one of Australia's greatest natural treasures," he said. "Through the Reef Guardians School Program, our students have been involved in a range of on-ground projects that are fun, educational and good for the local environment."

The Port Douglas FLEC is one of 14 taking place across the Great Barrier Reef catchment. The Port Douglas FLEC is an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority supported by Bunnings Warehouse, the Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee, Tangaroa Blue and the Wonga Beach Aquaculture Farm.

Today Students from each of the Reef Guardian Schools in the Port Douglas area joined together to clean up Wonga Beach as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian School's Future Leaders Eco Challenge day. Port Douglas State School, Mossman State School, Mossman High School, Wonga Beach State School, Daintree State School and Julatten State School were all represented and the students took part in activities during the morning at Wonga Beach Aqualculture Farm, followed by lunch and a presentation on Marine Debris by Tangaroa Blue Ocean Care Society. 

The students then headed onto Wonga Beach for a beach clean up and found 36Kg of rubbish in the first 100m of beach from the pathway! The most commonly found items were remnants of plastic bags and broken up bits of plastic but also 52 glass bottles were found and 59 aluminum cans! Items such as hair combs, toothbrushes and even a pair of children's underpants were found just above the high tide line. 

Thanks to all the students and teachers of the schools for taking part; Megan Sperring of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Bunnings Warehouse for providing the students with hats and gloves. Photos will be coming soon...