15 May 2015
The Australian Government Reef Programme Awards have been launched today, calling for nominations from champion land managers who have been working to reduce their off-farm impact on the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
Andrew Drysdale, Chief Executive Officer of Queensland’s Regional NRM Groups’ Collective, a member of the Reef Rescue Alliance partnership, said he is excited about the announcement of the awards as it means that the farmers and graziers who have been working to change their practices for the better will be recognised for their efforts and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
“A diversity of projects have been undertaken by land managers which aim to improve the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. People are voluntarily working to reduce the run-off of nutrients, chemicals and sediment from their land so that we can protect the reef for future generations.”
“I encourage anyone engaged in the Reef Programme to consider nominating for an award or if you know someone who deserves recognition for their work, put forward a nomination on their behalf,” he said.
QFF President Joanne Grainger said the awards were an opportunity to highlight the role that farmers play in land stewardship, and were also another way to showcase the collaborative nature of the program.
“The Australian Government Reef Programme is so successful because it works for mutually beneficial outcomes for farms and the environment. There have been many worthwhile projects undertaken, and these awards will allow us to showcase some of the great achievements,” Ms Grainger said.
The Reef Programme represents a coordinated approach to environmental management in Australia and is the single largest commitment ever made to address the threats of declining water quality and climate change to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Award applications close at 5pm on the 17 July 2015.
The Reef Programme awards will be held in conjunction with the Reef, Range and Red Dust Conference being held in Caloundra from August 31 to September 2. Winners will be announced at the Landcare and Australian Government Reef Programme Awards Conference Dinner to be held at the Events Centre, Caloundra on the evening of 1 September 2015.
The post Reef Programme Awards to recognise champion land managers appeared first on Queensland Farmers' Federation.