Current management of Great Barrier Reef (GBR) coastal wetlands relies on technocratic approaches. Enabling complementary community action and behaviour change offers greater potential to reduce human impacts on mangroves and saltmarsh and build support for restoration and climate adaptation.
The MangroveWatch program has adopted a collaborative monitoring-to-management citizen science framework, empowering community members, Indigenous Rangers, and Traditional Owners to actively engage in coastal wetland stewardship. A key initiative is the development of Local Action Plans (LAPs)—community-driven strategies integrating citizen science data with ecological, Traditional, and local knowledge to guide targeted conservation actions that reflect local priorities. LAP projects range from community education programs to large-scale restoration initiatives. A second key component is ensuring MangroveWatch citizen science data contributes to regional Reef Report Card habitat metrics, creating a clear pathway for community involvement in reef management. The visibility of this data inspires pride, reinforces participation, strengthens stewardship, and fosters long-term commitment to coastal wetland protection.
Strengthening community-led wetland stewardship is essential to enhancing GBR resilience and safeguarding coastal wetland ecosystem services in a changing climate. By actively engaging communities and integrating diverse knowledge systems, the MangroveWatch program demonstrates that citizen science can drive real conservation outcomes on the GBR.