Reef education resources are helping Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA) groups inspire young people to care for Sea Country and the Great Barrier Reef.
A collaboration between Lama Lama Rangers and the Reef Authority's Reef Guardian School program is bringing hands-on reef education into community settings through the provision of Reef educational resources.
At the recent Coen Muster in remote Cape York, Lama Lama Rangers used new interactive resources to engage young people and families in learning about the Reef. The resources included large turtle mats and an interactive activity focused on turtle diet and identification which supported conversations about local species, marine ecosystems, and the importance of caring for Sea Country.
TUMRAs are community-based agreements that support Traditional Owners to manage their Sea Country using both cultural knowledge and science, in partnership with government.
Lama Lama TUMRA and Junior Ranger Coordinator Alison Liddy said the resources made it easier to connect with young people and the broader community.
"It was exciting to get the turtle mats and an activity about turtle diets and to showcase them at our tent at the Coen Muster," Alison Liddy said.
"It's the first time north of Cooktown that we've had these products - you see those big mats when you go to events down south and was a privilege to have them here on Country."
She said the resources supported hands-on, locally relevant learning and helped spark interest in marine life and stewardship.
"We had a few kids come and visit the tent, but the adults got a thrill out of the resources too.
"To hear some of the questions about the turtles - people were really engaging in the activity and learning a lot about the turtles that live here.
"Green turtles are a traditional food for Indigenous people around Princess Charlotte Bay, and people were learning about what the turtles eat. Some people were amazed about what they didn't know."
Alison said the resources would be put to good use across a range of settings, including events such as NAIDOC Week, Junior Ranger activities on Country, and a local kindergarten's Bush Culture program.
"I want to give thanks to the Reef Guardian School team for allowing Lama Lama to have these education resources as a way of educating the general public, especially in Cape York."
Assistant Director of Reef Education, Elizabeth Hickman said the collaboration with Lama Lama highlights how Reef Authority programs can support community-led learning.
"It was great to see the resources used so effectively at the Coen Muster, and it highlights the potential for more TUMRA groups to tailor Reef Guardian educational resources to their own local regions and priorities," Ms Hickman said.
"Alison's passion and commitment to Reef education continues to create meaningful opportunities for young rangers to learn through culture, science, and community connection.
"We would love to support more TUMRA groups to join the program and expand reef and Sea Country education opportunities within their communities."
The Reef Guardian School program has supported teachers and students since 2003 to take practical action to protect the Reef, with access to free, curriculum-linked resources through the Reef Guardian portal.
The partnership with Lama Lama shows how these resources can be adapted beyond the classroom, with TUMRA groups playing an important role in delivering culturally grounded Reef education. Through locally led activities, communities are strengthening connections to Sea Country while helping build the next generation of Reef stewards.
