Support Cyclone Yasi Rainforest & Wildlife Rescue

End of year brings change
of pace

The last three months has been busy in finalising
our rehabilitation of the many rainforest blocks in the Daintree.

September saw the last of this year’s tree planting
as the hot weather heralded the onset of the wet season. We had some good rain
in October and November but the 30 degree days made field work uncomfortable
and we even had to water some recent tree plantings to ensure their survival.

The tropical north of Australia is expecting a good wet
season this year, which usually runs from November to March and it is the
weather that actually determines our work schedule in rainforest
rehabilitation.

In the coming months we will be undertaking
essential maintenance of our plant and equipment. The very nature of operating
in a tropical environment means regular and often costly maintenance. This
period is also one for site maintenance such as fence and track repair and also
a time for seed collection and grow out in our nursery.

Donors keep the faith

The 2011 year has been a tough one for many
businesses and individuals and consequently, many charities have found
maintaining donations quite difficult.

We were no exception. However most of our regular
donors have maintained the faith and for this we are extremely grateful.

A number of our supporters have arrived in the
tropical north, some unannounced, to have a look at the rehabilitation sites
and find trees they have purchased.

Thanks to our Conservation Officer, Adrian ‘Golly’
Watson, who gave up his leave and weekends on occasions, we managed to
accommodate most requests for field visits.

For those
living outside of the tropics it is hard to appreciate what the wet season can
bring. For us, 10 feet a year is not uncommon. Now, that’s a lot of water.

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Working with the weather is never an easy task
During the dry season in the Daintree rainforest, which usually runs
from April to December, the ARF works hard at rehabilitating the
many rainforest blocks it has acquired.
However, by the time September comes around, 36 degree Celcius days
and high humdity makes tree planting more difficult. It is during
the September to December period that the Foundation starts seed
collecting for the next year’s planting and keeps on top of the never
ending weed control, site and machinery maintenance.
The July to September period this year saw a new milestone achieved
with Angsana Great Barrier Reef Resort (part of the Banyan Tree Group)
planting its 10,000th tree in the Daintree on ARF land; and the Westpac
Bank group from Far North Queensland came back to plant another
200 trees on their growing rainforest reserve at Cape Tribulation.

• Latest newsletter (PDF)
  

Dear Friends,

Following the tropical cyclone Yasi in February 2011, conservation efforts have been centred on cleaning up the damage to vegetation. However since February we have continued to experience greater than average rainfall, making site clean up and weed control almost impossible. It has only been in the early part of May that we have been able to get vehicles and equipment back on site and as the photographs show, the weed reinfestation has been significant. (see “Over the Creek Blu…..” image shows the extent of weed reinfestation with the trees planted in late 2010 just popping up amongst the weeds)

The next few months will be spent dealing with the weeds in preparation for the next 4,000 trees due to be planted in the dry season between June and November.

In the meantime, we have been collecting seeds and growing out a number of seedlings in our Daintree nursery. ( see attached photos) This is an important task as most of the trees used in rehabilitation must come from the local area. We currently have around 15 different tree species in the nursery and through collection and purchase from commercial nurseries; this will rise to almost 100 different species ready for revegetation plantings later in the year.

Thank you for your continued support friends and I look forward to updating you soon on other Australian Rainforest Foundation activity in the George Mansford Reserve!

Cheers,

Roger Phillips