Backing a Lifetime of Greatness: Schools join global push to honour the Great Barrier Reef

This week, the Reef Authority joined a campaign close to our hearts – one that brings the voices of hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, and families into a global movement to recognise the Great Barrier Reef with a nomination for the United Nations Champions of the Earth award.

Through our Reef Guardian School program, more than 400 schools, 13,000 teachers and 225,000 students will rally behind this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Reef to become the first living entity – and the first non-human – recipient of the UN’s highest environmental honour.

The campaign is part of the Lifetime of Greatness Project, developed by Tourism Tropical North Queensland in collaboration with the Reef Authority, Reef Guardian Councils, Traditional Owners, Master Reef Guides, and the tourism industry. Already, it has reached over five billion people and attracted more than 1.3 million supporters worldwide.

As our Director of Education, Fiona Merida, explained, safeguarding the Reef for future generations is at the heart of this bid.

“This award is not just about honouring the Reef for its contribution to humankind, it’s about reminding the world what’s at stake – and why we must protect it.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Mark Olsen said the Reef’s influence reached far beyond its 2,300-kilometre coastline.

“The Great Barrier Reef changes people’s lives - it inspires, educates and drives action,” Mr Olsen said.

The Great Barrier Reef is more than a natural wonder. It is a living system that protects our coastline, supports more than 9,000 known species of marine life, and sustains cultural, scientific, and community connections spanning more than 10,000 years. For young people like Reef Guardian School students Ella Carter and Lily Yang from Bentley Park College, the Reef is deeply personal.

“When I saw a turtle swimming, it reminded me of how alive the Reef is and how much it needs our help,” Ella said. Lily added, “It makes me feel proud that kids like us can help protect the Reef. If we can love it, we can save it.”

Their voices remind us why protecting the Reef for future generations matters so deeply. From classrooms in Cairns to communities around the world, the Great Barrier Reef continues to inspire, educate, and drive action. Every snorkel trip, every lesson, every story told helps turn appreciation into protection.

Passions of Paradise - Great Barrier Reef owner Alan Wallish sees it every day.

“The Reef has this incredible power to change the way people see the world – it turns visitors into lifelong ambassadors,” he said.

We are proud to stand with our partners in tourism, Traditional Owners, Reef Guardian Councils, and our incredible Reef Guardian Schools as we back the Reef’s nomination for a Lifetime of Greatness.

Join us in supporting the campaign: alifetimeofgreatness.com