Reef scientist ‘recruits’ make a billboard splash

A new wave of reef enthusiasts is showing support in a big way to help keep the Great Barrier Reef great thanks to a community partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Queensland outdoor media company goa.

Stunning imagery of the iconic Great Barrier Reef is being shared across goa’s iconic digital billboards in Brisbane – THE goa GRID – to encourage Queenslanders to take an active interest in protecting the Reef by becoming ‘Reef scientists’.

Budding Reef scientists who successfully complete an online challenge to spot what’s great and not great for the Reef could see their name up in lights on a goa billboard supporting conservation of the Reef.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden said the initiative was launched at Brisbane’s World Science Festival, highlighting the Foundation’s commitment to finding solutions through science, technology, engineering and on-ground action to ensure the Reef’s long-term conservation.

“The Reef scientist initiative lets everyone who loves the Reef get involved in protecting it by finding out more and understanding the threats facing the Reef, the solutions being developed, and how their everyday actions can help keep our Reef great,” Ms Marsden said.

“With the Great Barrier Reef facing its second mass bleaching event in as many years, and now a severe tropical cyclone affecting vast reef areas too, it couldn’t be more important that we work together through science, education and local action to help ensure the future of our natural wonder for generations to come.”

goa CEO and Joint Managing Director Chris Tyquin said, “As Queenslanders, it is up to us to be at the forefront of protecting our national treasure.

“We see the partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation as the first step in fulfilment our duty towards conservation, innovation and research to protect the Reef.

“Many Queenslanders feel strongly about protecting our Reef and our aim is to give the public the tools to join forces with the Foundation and start their own conservation journey.”

More than 1500 people signed up to become Reef scientists at the World Science Festival’s Street Science event where the Great Barrier Reef Foundation partnered with the Queensland Government’s Office of the Great Barrier Reef and QUT to create an immersive reef experience.

Their names are now appearing on goa digital billboards across Brisbane and will continue to feature throughout April. The billboards can also be viewed online via live feed at goacam.com.

One lucky Reef scientist will also win a once in a lifetime research expedition to the Great Barrier Reef with Richard Fitzpatrick, the marine biologist and Emmy Award-winning ocean cinematographer behind the camera in David Attenborough’s latest documentary series on the Great Barrier Reef.

The competition runs until 30 April 2017 so reef fans still have time to put their knowledge to the test and identify what’s great and not great for the Reef online at www.barrierreef.org/great