Excursions

• Snorkel equipment for exploring the reef
• Boat fares for travel to and from the reef
• Coral Watch equipment for measuring the level of bleaching at various sites on the reef
• Talk from a Reef Check volunteer about the nation-wide database that is being constructed by citizen scientists (like you)!
• Gear to clear plastic from the reef ecosystem
• Talk from a marine biologist about the current state of the reef
• Night snorkels and shark feeding optional on multi-day programs using a liveaboard boat!

Incursions

• An age-appropriate interactive PowerPoint presentation
• Investigating reef structure with coral skeletons to pass around
• Learning about the cultural value of reef resources with tribal artefacts to pass around
• Learn about how reefs are formed with the help of a fun animation.
• Recognise feeding relationships on the reef with a “Friend or Food” game and an on-your-feet “Human Food Web” game
• Learn about the all-important threats facing the reef

• Awareness and knowledge of coral reef ecosystems
• Appreciation for the diversity of coral reef organisms
• A basic understanding of how coral reef ecosystems work including knowledge of food chains/food webs
• Awareness of the impacts of human activities on coral reefs both locally and globally

• Knowledge of local and largescale environmental issues affecting coral reefs including habitat destruction, overharvesting, invasive species, coral bleaching and pollution
• Learning of sustainable behaviours that minimise these issues
• A sense of connection to and feeling of stewardship towards Australia’s coral reefs
• An understanding of the complex processes involved in managing our coral reefs in a sustainable manner
• Experience in planning and conducting scientific field studies

Below is an example itinerary for a 1-day “Coral Reefs” excursion. All excursions packages include the necessary work booklets and equipment.

8:00     Tour group pick-up Second Nature have a fleet of vehicles available to cater for any number of

passengers (within reason). We can provide transport to and from institutions and airports.

8:45      Arrive at marina to board your vessel to the reef! Snorkel gear will be delegated before students enter the

boat and a safety briefing will be delivered on board.

10:00    Activity Session 1 Introductory snorkel. Students will be briefed on snorkelling techniques and assisted

with the identification of marine organisms in the reef community.

11:30    Enjoy a buffet lunch on board the catamaran.

12:30   Activity Session 2 Coral Watch field work. Students will be briefed on the use of Coral Watch equipment

(developed by Reef Check Australia) to measure the level of bleaching in corals on different parts of the

reef. They will then use the same techniques to collect primary data for both their field reports and an

online database sustained by citizen science.

13:30 Activity Session 3 Second round of field data! Students will randomly place 20m transects over the reef

system. One student will follow the transect, taking photos of the substrate every 2m. These photos can be

used to calculate statistics such as percentage coral cover, relative abundance of corals and population

density of corals using the software, Coral Point Count with excel extensions (CPCe).

14:30   Activity Session 4 Talk from a Coral Watch ambassador and marine biologist. The students will learn

about how the data they collected is assisting scientists to monitor the state of the reef, and how this data

can be used to ensure the sustainable management of the ecosystem.

15:00    Depart destination for marina

16:00   Arrive at marina for immediate departure to institution or airport

16:45  Arrive at institution or airport at required time