Reef Keepers

The Great Barrier Reef is under threat.
Human actions on land are affecting the oceans and threatening the reef.

REEF KEEPERS

Reef Keepers is an environmental fund created by the Morris Group. The fund donates to projects and organisations that we think are having the biggest impact in efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The Morris Family Foundation is donating $50 per guest stay at Northern Escape Collection Lodge and $5 per guest stay the Ville Resort to the fund.

THE ISSUES

Three key issues that
drive the
Reef Keepers

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Climate Change

The phenomenon of mass coral bleaching is directly related to the sea temperature. Coral’s are stressed when the temperate rises 1-2 degrees above normal ranges and stays elevated for an extended period.

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Water Pollution

Good water quality is the reason why the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most beautiful, diverse and complex ecosystems in the world. Reefs grow best in waters that have naturally low concentrations of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediments. Due to costal development, agriculture, mining and ports, there has been an increased sediment run-off from land.

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Overfishing

Fishing on the Great Barrier Reef is an important pastime and a source of income for both Queensland coastal communities and the seafood industry. The Great Barrier Reef supports commercial, recreational, Indigenous and charter fishing, targeting a range of species including fish, sharks, crabs and prawns. Some remaining impacts of fishing pose major threats to the future vitality of the Reef.

REEF KEEPERS

Projects

  • Great Barrier Reef Legacy

    Great Barrier Reef Legacy is a community focused non-for-profit organisation that is committed to the protection of coral reef systems worldwide. Their mission is to engage people from all nations to play their role in safeguarding this world heritage site for the future and to be an innovative leader in marine research expeditions, education, conservation and stewardship. Learn more

  • Australian Marine Conservation Society

    Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is the voice for Australia’s ocean wildlife. AMCS’ vision is that the Great Barrier Reef survives as a functioning ecosystem with many of its World Heritage values intact. Learn more

  • Rainforest Rescue

    Rainforest Rescue has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally since 1998. They do this by protecting the biodiversity of high conservation value rainforest, and by re-establishing rainforest through planting, maintenance and restorative conservation programs. Learn more

  • Tangaroa Blue Foundation

    Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian-wide not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the removal and prevention of marine debris, one of the major environmental issues worldwide. Reek Keepers supports Tangaroa Blue in conducting beach clean ups on the national park areas of Orpheus Island and surrounding islands. In April 2018, 13 volunteers removed one ton of marine debris from one beach on the island. They prioritise recycling the debris as much as possible, whilst also identifying the sources of the items to understand their origins. Learn more

  • World Wildlife Fund

    WWF have been campaigning for much stronger laws to stop excessive tree-clearing in NSW and QLD. WWF-Australia recognises that forests and woodlands are essential to the production of sustainable food, the preservation of threatened species, and the creation of a low-carbon future. Learn more

  • Boomerang Alliance

     The Boomerang Alliance includes a range of environmental groups ranging from surfers, recyclers and neighbourhood groups. They have been instrumental in their campaign for a national container deposit scheme, which has now been adopted by NSW, ACT, QLD and WA (already existing in SA and NT). Learn more

  • James Cook University

    Reef Keepers has funded James Cook University in research to establish an early-warning system to allow for timely and effective management of crown-of-thorn outbreaks. This system will provide evidence of an impending outbreak and alert culling boats of where to target. Our funding has also supported their research initiatives and provided research scholarships at the Orpheus Island Research Station. Learn more