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Protecting Wetlands for the Future

Want to experience hands-on conservation?

Imagine spending a week in an amazing location with students from all over Australia, exploring solutions for a more sustainable relationship with our environment. The Earthwatch Student Challenge is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a select number of Year 10 - 12 students to experience environmental research first hand.

  • This is a fully-funded scholarship opportunity
  • No prior experience is necessary
  • Receive training in scientific fieldwork from leading scientists
  • Gain valuable insights into conservation research
Protecting Wetlands for the Future
Protecting Wetlands for the Future 2
Protecting Wetlands for the Future 3

What to expect

Mangroves are one of the world’s most underrated coastal ecosystems. You may not know it, but mangroves provide most of our seafood, help clean the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, protect coasts from storms and erosion, are home to iconic wildlife, and are carbon storage powerhouses that help reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, mangroves are globally threatened by climate change, sea level rise and coastal development.

This is your chance to have some muddy fun and help researchers understand how mangrove forests respond to severe flood events and develop strategies to protect and enhance these coastal habitat heroes into the future.

  • Program dates

    22nd Sept - 27th Sept 2025

  • Accommodation

    Dormitory style with shared rooms and a separate toilet block.

  • Location

    Mackay, QLD

  • Eligibility

    Open to students in Years 10, 11, or 12 who attend government schools in rural and regional areas of Queensland or New South Wales

  • Cost

    This is a fully funded fellowship


Some activities may include

  • Estuary shoreline video assessment
  • Mangrove forest flood recovery surveys
  • Saltmarsh SAVER rapid assessments
  • Mangrove crab and fauna assessments

For successful applicants, the fellowship covers:

  • Flights and airport transfers
  • Insurance
  • All meals and accommodation
  • Field transport and research equipment
  • Professional and academic transferrable skills

Download flyer

Share this opportunity with your community! Click below to download the program flyer.