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

  • Australian Youth Climate Coalition

    The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) are a youth-led organisation that aims to mobilise young people to lead on solutions to the climate crisis. Reef Keepers supports AYCC in Townsville to conduct training sessions and empower youth in the Townsville region to speak out and lead on demanding action on climate. 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. Reef Keepers supports the Good Fish Project at AMCS that works to promote more sustainable seafood in supply chains and restaurants. 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. Reef Keepers supports Rainforest Rescue in the reforestation of retired cane farms in the Daintree. Their work has seen great success with a more than 70% reduction of polluting soil runoff into the Great Barrier Reef, and the return of many species of birds, bats, lizards, and even a cassowary to the area. Learn more

  • Tangaroa Blue

    Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australia-wide 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. Tangaroa Blue volunteers regularly remove tonnes of marine debris from beaches during clean-ups, showing the scale of our plastic pollution problem. They prioritise up-cycling the debris as much as possible, whilst also identifying the sources of the items to understand their origins and prevent plastic pollution from happening in the first place. 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

  • Museum of Underwater Art

    The Museum of Underwater Art is the first installation of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The creation of artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the MOUA is a series of underwater sculptures designed to become part of the surrounding natural area. Reef Keepers has provided support to the MOUA project that will have four installations around the Townsville area; at the Strand in Townsville, John Brewer Reef, Magnetic Island, and Palm Island. Learn more

  • James Cook University

    Reef Keepers has funded James Cook University to provide research scholarships for PhD students at the Orpheus Island Research Station. This support allows young researchers the ability to gather vital data for their research into solutions for threats to the Great Barrier Reef. Learn more