Whitsunday Reef Islands Initiative
The Reef Islands Initiative is establishing a network of climate change refuges by protecting critical habitats on Great Barrier Reef islands. Pioneered by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, this $AUD 14 million, 10-year program is supported by funding from Lendlease, the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Queensland Government and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation. Delivery of the Reef Island Initiative’s Whitsundays Islands Project is managed by Reef Catchments and is in partnership with the local Reef community including Traditional Owners, reef managers, scientific researchers, and tourism operators.
Right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday islands are a critical habitat sanctuary for the Reef’s diverse marine life. In the face of climate change, the islands, adjoining reefs and supporting ecosystems need our help to recover from recurring major impacts like coral bleaching and Cyclone Debbie.
Our Focus
Position the Whitsundays as a recognised global hub for inshore fringing reef stewardship, undertaking a program of activities that is underpinned by an exemplary evidence base to support adaptive management decisions.
Ignite a movement for reef restoration and stewardship by piloting new approaches to reef restoration driven and led by local tourism, community and Traditional Owner partners.
Invest in and showcase climate-friendly Reef projects, technologies and tourism activities that incentivise behaviour change towards a more sustainable Whitsundays.
Support the local tourism industry to pave the way towards a carbon neutral Reef industry – in the Whitsundays, and beyond.
Within the Whitsunday Reef Islands Initiative there are five on-ground projects:
Annual Report RCL 2022-2023
Reef Catchments is proud to present our Annual Report for the 2020-2021 Financial Year which includes the projects and achievements.
Annual Report RCL 2021-2022
Reef Catchments is proud to present our Annual Report for the 2020-2021 Financial Year which includes the projects and achievements.
Youth Ambassadors program underway
Our Youth Ambassador program helps to shape our conservation leaders of the future, by empowering them to deliver their own conservation project. These projects provide a means for our ambassadors to increase awareness around common threats to islands in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) through the engagement and empowerment of our local community […]
Soil Conservation Field Walk roundup
Soil conservation professionals, John Day and Geoff Titmarsh, provided a wealth of information to the attendees at the recent Soil Conservation Field Walk.
Calling all Natural Resource Management Industry professionals!
Reef Catchments has multiple roles available and is seeking expressions of interest.
Long reach excavator targets wetland weeds
Reef Catchments is working to protect and restore wetlands south of Mackay, assisting
landholders in the Sandringham Wetland Complex to manage their land and improve grazing
practices.
Annual Report RCL 2020-2021
Reef Catchments is proud to present our Annual Report for the 2020-2021 Financial Year which includes the projects and achievements.
Wetland treatment train
Reef Catchments has been awarded funding from the Queensland Government DEHP to study the water quality benefits of constructed wetland treatment trains.
Marine classroom on Scawfell Island
Students from Sarina State High School were treated to a trip of a lifetime to Scawfell Island to better understand management of the Great Barrier Reef.