Young Sapphires

Inspiring the Next Wave of Ocean Guardians

Who Are the Young Sapphires?

Young Sapphires are student leaders and passionate changemakers committed to protecting our oceans and inspiring their communities to care for our blue planet. They represent the next generation of philanthropists, conservationists, artists, and storytellers - rising voices creating ripples of impact through creativity, compassion, and action.

What Do They Do?

Through school-led initiatives and creative outreach, Young Sapphires:

  • Raise awareness about marine conservation through school campaigns, performances, and science projects

  • Host student art exhibitions and fundraising events in support of Sapphire's programs

  • Organise beach clean-ups and hands-on activities in their local communities

  • Champion sustainability and circular thinking among their peers

  • Share stories, artworks, and student-led insights via Sapphire’s youth platform

How Do They Do It?

The Young Sapphires movement begins in classrooms, art rooms, and student councils. With guidance from Sapphire/Great Barrier Reef Foundation, school teachers, mentors, and the broader Sapphire network, Youth Ambassadors take the lead in organising meaningful activities that reflect their school’s identity and strengths.

Each participating school appoints Young Sapphires Ambassadors - students who coordinate efforts within their school community, with access to:

  • Sapphire-endorsed toolkits (education packs, posters, fundraising tips)

  • Digital recognition badges for their school and club

  • Occasional features across Sapphire social channels or events

  • Peer mentorship and leadership training opportunities through our network

Why It Matters

We believe the future of ocean conservation lies not just in science and philanthropy - but in storytelling, participation, and lived values. Young Sapphires aren’t just raising funds - they’re raising a generation with empathy, ecological literacy, and the courage to lead.

This initiative reflects Sapphire’s broader mission: to unite communities, amplify purpose, and build a lasting legacy for our oceans - one voice at a time.

Get Involved

If you’re a student, teacher, or school leader interested in joining the Young Sapphires movement, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re starting a club, planning a fundraiser, or simply want to learn more, this is your invitation to dive in.

“Young people - they care. They know that this is the world that they're going to grow up in, that they're going to spend the rest of their lives in. But, I think it's more idealistic than that. They actually believe that humanity, human species, has no right to destroy and despoil regardless.”

Sir David Attenborough

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions and culture.