Ask students to identify problems they think could occur on the Great Barrier Reef. Group those together that relate to caring for the Great Barrier Reef, safety, and sharing areas.

Generate possible solutions for these problems.

You want to stop on an island in the Great Barrier Reef for a picnic. A family is just leaving a beautiful spot and leaves the area littered with rubbish. What might you do?

You want to use a barbecue on an island during the Christmas holidays, but fires are not permitted from November 1 until April 30. What might you do?

You notice people cutting down and damaging trees and plants on an island. It is an offence to cut down or damage any standing trees or plants. What might you do?

Reef-walking is allowed on the Great Barrier Reef, but it is expected that reef-walkers do not damage or remove coral. You come across someone stepping on coral and living matter and picking up species which are attached to the reef flat. What might you do?

You see someone throwing out their bait bag whilst fishing on the Reef. This is against the Fishing Code. What might you do?

Sign-making

Students design signs for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to promote acceptable behavior. Paint, draw or write about the place where the sign could be erected.

Present students with a problem situation found on areas of the Great Barrier Reef.

Invite students to place their sign with others that relate to the problem.

Campers at campsite with camp gear
and cooking facilities

A Brown booby sits on top of a
"Seasonal Nesting Area" sign

From the class database, select people found using the Great Barrier Reef. Students draw pictures, which show how different people such as rangers, divers, snorkelers, fishers tourists and families care for reef areas. In this activity students begin to understand that care of open places is the joint responsibility of those who work there and those who use the area.

Introduce students to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as the organisation that conserves and protects the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Locate information from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Web-site about the way the Great Barrier Reef and its plants and animals are looked after.