The outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations working to improve the quality of water entering the iconic Great Barrier Reef will be recognised through the 2018 Reef Champion Awards run by the Reef Alliance with support from the Australian and Queensland governments.
Nominations are sought from or on behalf of exceptional land managers, extension officers, industry and members of the community who are working to reduce their impact on the Reef, with entries open until Friday 14 September 2018.
Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) CEO Travis Tobin said it was important to acknowledge the continued commitment and efforts of farmers and others working with the agricultural sector to safeguard the future of the Reef.
“In the International Year of the Reef, the awards provide industry and the broader community with the opportunity to celebrate farmers, extension officers and community members who are working to improve land management practices,” Mr Tobin said.
“Farmers continue to improve farming and environmental management practices and upgrade on-farm infrastructure, often supported by their communities and extension officers, to reduce run-off.”
“These important actions are making huge improvements to the quality of the water leaving the farm and significantly contributing to the health of the Reef.”
“The Australian Government’s Reef Trust and Reef Program, and the Queensland Government’s Reef Water Quality Program have been very successful in supporting and delivering mutually beneficial outcomes for farmers and the environment.”
“The Reef Alliance has again partnered with The Prince’s Trust Australia to offer the coveted Prince of Wales Environmental Leadership – Reef Sustainability Award, which recognises the exemplary efforts of an individual farmer or group of farmers, to raise awareness, foster knowledge-sharing and engage local communities in sustainable natural resource management, particularly efforts to reduce water pollution, to protect and preserve the Great Barrier Reef.”
The full list of awards is:
Prince of Wales Environmental Leadership – Reef Sustainability Award
Reef Conservation Champion Award
Reef Extension Officer Champion Award
The Reef Champion Awards are supported by the ‘Reef Trust: Reef Alliance – Growing a Great Barrier Reef’ project, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, and the Queensland Government’s Reef Water Quality Program.
For more information and to apply, visit www.qff.org.au/projects/reef-alliance/awards.