The Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation is an independent trust entity established in 1978 to conduct and support scientific research at the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station and elsewhere on the Great Barrier Reef. The history is recorded in Lizard Island Research – a partnership.
Lizard Island is 250km north of Cairns. The coral reefs there are close to the shore. The island is also a convenient base for research on the outer reef and lagoon areas. Apart from the Research Station, the only other human habitation is the eco-friendly Lizard Island Resort.
The Station provides field research facilities to visiting scientists. Each year approximately half the scientists come from James Cook University or the University of Queensland. The remainder come from other leading research institutions in Australia and around the world. Their output is impressive – see Publications & Projects on the Station web page.
LIRRF has no staff or office. Trustees contribute their services on a voluntary basis and are substantial donors in their own right. The Australian Museum provides administrative support. This enables LIRRF to operate with very low overhead costs. All donations go to support field research facilities at the Station and scientific research on the Great Barrier Reef.
The LIRRF Trustees are Kate Hayward (Chair), David Armstrong, Greer Banyer, Dr Penny Berents (Chair of the Science Committee), Allison Haworth West, Dr Rod Kefford AM, Wendy King, James Kirby, Anna le Deux, Professor Lynne Madden, Kim McKay AO, Heather Power, Robert Purves AM, David Shannon, Charlie Shuetrim AM (Chair, Appeal Committee), Dr Geoff Shuetrim and Helen Wellings. Ken Coles AM and James Bildner (USA) are Trustees Emeritus.
LIRRF seeks to communicate the science, why it is important and why it needs and merits donor support. It seeks to connect with people and organizations interested in marine science and conservation (please subscribe on the home page – its FREE! ). And it strives to fulfill its trust mandate: to raise funds for scientific research on the Great Barrier Reef. See why – and please donate.