The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organisms and one of the most bio-diverse places on earth. The Reef also supports the culture and livelihoods of 70 Traditional Owner groups, who have been its custodians for over 60,000 years.
But today, the Reef is in crisis. Since 1985, it has lost half its coral cover due to climate change and poor water from land-based run-off. Every year, more than 10 million tonnes of sediment flow onto the Reef, smothering corals and seagrass, creating algal blooms, degrading water quality, and weakening the Reef’s ability to recover.
Coastal wetlands are vital. Acting like kidneys, they filter out sediment from agriculture, industry and urban land use. Sadly, more than 50% of these wetlands have already been lost.
Greening Australia and Traditional Owners are working to restore land and wetlands to stop sediment at the source. By 2030, they aim to restore 12,000 hectares of eroded land and 10,000 hectares of wetlands. This will prevent 400,000 tonnes of sediment from reaching the Reef each year, improving water quality, the Reef’s resilience to climate change, and the livelihoods and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians.
$50 prevents 1 tonne of sediment from reaching the Great Barrier Reef.
Together, we can keep the Reef alive for marine life, for communities, and for future generations.