Join the Coral Crusaders!

Volunteering with Reef Restoration Foundation will provide you with a once in a lifetime opportunity to play an active role in our pioneering ocean-based coral nurseries on the Great Barrier Reef!
Volunteers are vital to the work undertaken by Reef Restoration Foundation. Our volunteers are motivated, passionate and an inspiring bunch of amazing people who are committed to making a positive difference to the Great Barrier Reef.

“I like working with Reef Restoration Foundation because it is well organised, the people behind it are professional and the volunteers I work with are so dedicated and really believe in this project,"
- Ian Prescott, Reef Restoration Foundation Volunteer.

To be considered as a volunteer, you must be based in Cairns or the surrounding area.

Dive Volunteers

As a dive volunteer, you will assist with the general work at the nursery with maintenance and monitoring. These will involve diving at the coral trees.

Task include 
•Cleaning the coral tree frames to remove the settlement of algae and encrusting  organisms
• Assisting with new installations and maintenance of coral nurseries
• Propagating coral fragments and outplanting corals back into the reef
• Potentially functioning as a leader in the field

Requirements
• Mininum PADI Rescue Diver or Equivalent with Perform Diver Rescue Statement of Attainment (VET Rescue)
• AS/NZS 2299.1:2015 Occupational Dive Medical.
• Minimum 50 hours of logged dives
• Possess your own dive gear, including fins, mask, stinger/wet suit, BCD and  regulator. These must be serviced within the past year
• Diving Insurance for non-resident. 
• Be able to commit to t least 1 dive a month for a minimum of 6 months. 

Schedule
Our Volunteer Coordinator sets out a schedule a month in advance requesting availability on the days required. The days selected are chosen depending on the weather, number of volunteers, other events and availability of Dive Leaders. Typically, there will be six volunteers per outing, and we endeavour to rotate the volunteers to provide everyone with an opportunity to be involved.

Usually, it will be a full day activity and you will depart Cairns at 8am and return by 6pm.

Land Based Volunteers

If you are not able to meet the dive requirements, you can still contribute to our organization and be involved in with ground-breaking research to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of coral restoration practices. You can also be involve with our market stalls to share and raise awarness to the public.
This can be done remotely as well!

Requirements (Land-Based)
• Good understanding of the ecology of the Great Barrier Reef
• Strong identification skills of different coral families
• Experience in using MS Excel and computer skills
•Have own snorkel gears ( can be rented at own cost)

Schedule
• Once a month for either in-water surveys or market stalls
• Able process image data remotely every other month or when required ( Approximatey 2 hours )
• Willing to create online account for Coral Net

Volunteer Induction and Training

Successtful application will need to attend a full day induction for divers and 1 hour induction for land based volunteers. This will be done once a month with mininum 4 new registrations. Dates are flexible and dependent on availability on inductees.Training is also provided by Reef Restoration Foundation. Training will include Coral Identification Workshops, Coral Outplant Surveys and several hands-on skills required to be working at the nurseries.If you are passionate about making a positive difference to the Great Barrier Reef and you want to volunteer with an amazing bunch of people, please register now.