Akorn Philanthropy
Akorn believes passionately that travel should both respect the natural environment and benefit the indigenous peoples whose lands we visit. Akorn ensures that we support a carefully chosen project in the destinations where we operate.
Lizard Island Research Station, Queensland
The Lizard Island Research Station is a world-leading supplier of on-reef facilities for coral reef research and education on Australia’s world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Each day, more unsettling news is appearing about the harmful impacts of climate change (increasing sea temperatures and ocean acidification) on our already stressed coral reefs. The grim reality is that these stunning reefs may be no more if efforts are not made to ensure their long-term sustainability. Research undertaken at Lizard Island Research Station that contributes to our knowledge of the reef and its ecosystem and which in turn leads to sound and scientifically based reef management practices.
The Station attracts marine scientists from around the globe in their quest to conserve and help manage coral reefs. It is the only field station operated by the Australian Museum and it is internationally recognised as a leading coral reef research facility. About 100 projects are conducted annually with many focusing on the impacts of climate change and other reef stressors such as increased sedimentation and overfishing.
Visit the Research Station with Akorn
Due to Akorn's support of the Lizard Island Research Station, travellers with Akorn are able to make an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the operation. Guests are led by one of the Directors of the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station to witness first hand marine scientists working on a range of research projects. Many of these projects make extensive use of the Station’s state of the art seawater aquarium system that is partially sponsored by Akorn and which enables scientists to undertake studies with living reef organisms in a controlled environment. For further information on including such a visit in an Australia itinerary, contact us.
