The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Schools program began in 2003 and sees students, teachers, their communities and local partners make positive environmental changes for the Reef. A key objective of the Reef Guardian Schools program is to create awareness, understanding and appreciation for the Reef and its connected ecosystems. Students team up with others in their community to actively participate in activities aimed at improving catchments, water quality, sustainability, and Reef health. These activities include environmental and sustainability projects within their classrooms, school grounds and local areas such as native habitat revegetation, cleaning up beaches and recycling.