By Julian Gray | CEO, Rainforest Rescue
The Daintree Rainforest… "a worldwide treasure that needs to be protected at all costs” David Attenborough
The Lowland Daintree Rainforest lies between the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Great Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage Areas and has a vital role in connecting these two significant ecosystems. The recent bleaching of significant areas of the Great Barrier Reef is a striking reminder of the impact of human activity on our ecosystems. Drastic action needs to be taken to help build resilience against these threats and the potentially catastrophic long-term impacts of climate change. Creating permanent rainforest corridors, connecting protected landscapes, gives the unique flora and fauna of the Daintree a better chance of survival and protects river catchments flowing onto the Great Barrier Reef.
Lot 46 lies in the heart of the Daintree lowland rainforest and is an amazing success story in reforestation of this unique habitat. We’ve removed over 200 tons of rubbish and debris from the 67 acre, from rusty old car bodies to derelict farm buildings. The second stage was to remove invasive species and weeds including a plantation of oil palms. We’ve now planted around 45,000 trees on the site comprising 200 different species – all collected from our Daintree rainforest properties and propagated at our native nursery. The speed of regrowth is amazing and the site is now unrecognizable from when we rescued it.
With your help we’ve started a new research project on Lot 46 looking at invasive species and weed management. The Daintree lowland rainforest has an ancient lineage going back 70 million years. Unfortunately this means that some of the flora is not as quick in adapting to change as species which have invaded the area as development and roads encroach into the rainforest. In Phase 1 we’re talking to all the land management organizations and groups in the region to compile what people are doing on the ground. At the same time, we’re scouring the literature to make sure we’re aware of international best practice. Phase 2 starts at the end of the month where we’ll try a number of test plots using different techniques to get a comparison of effectiveness.
Your support in helping us protect this very special place is genuinely appreciated by myself and the rest of the team at Rainforest Rescue. With your help we can save this exceptional piece of rainforest for future generations.
Thank you for helping us Protect Rainforest Forever.
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