Our diverse Great Barrier Reef is home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species and a globally significant dugong population, as well as 600 types of coral, 1,600+ species of fish, and 3,000+ species of molluscs (shells). The Reef supports the culture and livelihoods of 70 Traditional Owner groups who have been its custodians for over 60,000 years, and provides employment for some 70,000 people.

The future of the Reef and the life it supports is at risk. Every year, millions of tonnes of fine sediment flow from eroding land onto the Reef, choking fish, seagrass and coral, reducing the Reef’s ability to recover from the impacts of climate change. Exacerbating the problem is the loss of over 50% of our coastal wetlands, which help to filter excess nutrients from water before it enters the Reef lagoon.

Greening Australia are addressing both climate change and water quality in Australia – with a bold goal to reforest 10 million hectares across Australia, to sequester 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – drawing down 20% of Australia’s total current carbon Emissions.

To improve water quality, store carbon and provide habitat for species, we are working with local landholders, communities and Traditional Owner groups across the Reef catchments to restore wetlands, revegetate landscapes and rebuild eroding gullies.

More on 5 Years of Reef Aid

We are proud to be the winner of the Minister Award for the Environment 2018 for our Reef Aid program.

This prestigious award is part of the Banksia Sustainability Awards, which recognise outstanding sustainability initiatives across Australia. Read more about our success here.