New Environmental Education Resource Released by Catholic Earthcare Australia

A new environmental education resource based on the IUCN International Year of the Reef has been released by Catholic Earthcare Australia, Jacqui Remond announced today.

Jacqui Remond, Director of Catholic Earthcare, said that she is delighted that Earthcare has been able to incorporate the latest technology into environmental education, producing a CD-Rom entitled “Reefs of Revelation”.  She said it is about bringing Australia’s reefs into a learning space that will enable students to attain a deep sense of appreciation, wonder and care for our reefs.

“Most people understand the importance of protecting our Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. However, Australia’s less well-known reefs including the magnificent southern rocky reefs and Tasmania’s sea mounts also require our care and protection, as do our tropical reefs in the Kimberley and the Coral Sea,” Jacqui Remond said.

“It is necessary to highlight that some of our tropical reefs in northern Australia, such as the Browse Basin in the Kimberley and the Coral Sea in Queensland are currently under pressure because they are situated near oil and gas reserves”.

The CD-Rom ‘Reefs of Revelation’ contains a five part interactive multi media lesson as well as teaching materials, Powerpoint reflections with prayers, links to reef websites and a beautiful film about the Coral Sea. It is for upper Primary and Secondary students and new button feature appears for secondary students with more information, activities and actions.

Mrs. Remond said that while Australian Catholics move to protect God’s gifts of creation we need to understand our own role in the scheme of planet Earth. During the interactive lesson students can embark on a virtual trip to Scott Reef, Ningaloo reef, The Great Barrier Reef, Southern Rocky reefs and Tasmania’s Sea Mounts. They can also learn about coral animals and their amazing interconnections in our oceans. Sections focusing on ‘Threats’ to our reefs and ‘Signs of Hope’ have been developed in such a way as to reveal our faith as calling us to be people of hope. A further section entitled  ‘Ecological Vocations’ is about encouraging us to live in harmony with God’s gifts of creation.

Mrs. Remond said Catholic Earthcare will continue to provide quality resources that inform and inspire Catholics to care for God’s Creation.

To order your copy of the CR-Rom ‘Reefs of Revelation’ or to access further information about Catholic Earthcare Australia, please visit www.catholicearthcare.org.au