Eco-cruises on the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay, a creek eco-challenge involving fish, invertebrates and water quality, a scavenger hunt at Sea World, and interactive workshops are among the activities being coordinated by the members of the Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Alliance along the Queensland coast from 15 to 23 August.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director, Claire Hanratty, said this festival of Reef-themed citizen science events provides the ideal opportunity for people to get hands-on with activities that ultimately help to protect and preserve the Great Barrier Reef.

“The activities are themed around connecting the catchment to coral and will give people of all ages – from the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay in the south to Port Douglas in the north – the chance to make new discoveries and connect with reefs, waterways and reef catchment areas in their local communities,” Ms Hanratty said.

“We hope that individuals and communities will gain valuable insights into how land-based activities can impact on the Reef and what they can do to help."

“Citizen science initiatives like these are important for the Great Barrier Reef because they show people of all ages how to collect and contribute important information needed by scientists and reef managers. They also help communities to better understand and care for their local environment."

“The exciting program of events for all the budding Reef citizen scientists was developed by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Citizen Science Alliance partners including Reef Check Australia (Moreton Bay), Wildlife Queensland, MangroveWatch (Logan), Tangaroa Blue (Port Douglas), CoralWatch (Cairns), and the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health (Rockhampton) with support from Reef HQ (Townsville) and Sea World (Gold Coast).”

Visit www.greatbarrierreefcitizenscience.org.au for event information.

The Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Alliance is an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to raise awareness of the contribution of citizen science to the Reef and increase participation in citizen science. The Alliance is sponsored by Boeing Australia.

This Inspiring Australia initiative is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week.