Restore Australia’s Forest after the Wildfires

Dear friends,

So much has happened since we last updated you, we will be sending you another project update in the next 10-14 days. First of all, on behalf of the Australian Rainforest Foundation, we would like to thank each and every one of you for helping us answer the call and commit to helping rehabilitate key conservation areas that were damaged and or destroyed by the 2009 Wildfires. These wildfires hit Australia with its worst natural disaster in recorded history. Over 2,000 acres of land and forest with special conservation easements placed on them were damaged which took an enormous toll on some of Australia’s most beloved natural icons such as the koala, wombat, cockatoo and kangaroo. But thanks to all of you, real help is on the way.

After the wildfires ended, a long and methodical inquiry commenced by the Victorian Royal Commission (as well as other local inquiries) that looked into the causes of the fires, system of communication warning, evacuation plans and more. The Black Saturday fires (as they are referred to) killed 173 people and destroyed over 2,000 houses. Because there was so much damage in certain areas, many landowners have decided not to return, while many others who live in key wildlife and conservation areas, are in desperate need of scientific surveying, rehabilitation planning, a nursery full of different tree and seedling species and wildlife specialists. These private landowners, who took it upon themselves to register their land as protected nature reserves so that koalas, kangaroos, wombats and more would always have a home, needed our help the most and this is where we have decided to center our efforts. These are the beneficiaries you will be hearing from throughout this operation and maybe even beyond; “This could be the start of a beautiful friendship…” Much of Australia’s wildlife lives on private land, not reserves, sanctuaries and National Parks. The Australian Rainforest Foundation creates reserves, wildlife corridors and even donates some of our corridors and reserves to the National Park system.

It has taken us a long time to survey the land, talk with land owners, scientists, wildlife experts and government agencies about matters of priority, and we are now at the stage where we can continue doing the most good with the donations you have so generously provided us. Donor accountability is a high priority of the Australian Rainforest Foundation (ARF) and GlobalGiving. All operations need to be fully vetted before we commit your money to rehabilitation efforts such as clearing damaged areas, wildlife fencing, tree irrigation, nursery work and tree planting and getting veterinary services out to areas where needed. The next project update will be a field report from our Team Leader in Victoria. He will report on all the prep work we have been doing (mostly consulting with various groups in the area) and what will be done next. In the meantime, we would love to hear from you mates and get your thoughts on the colossal operations ahead. Again, we couldn’t do this work and aid the wildlife and people who take care of the wildlife without you. Donors are the stockholders of our Foundation and you have a stake in every bit of good we do. It’s your right to have your questions answered and it’s the least we can do. Please email Paul Medici, Manager of American Operations at medicipj2@yahoo.com, and we will tend to your needs. Also, please enjoy the photos we have included and I hope you appreciate that in hard times, a little sense of humor can go a long way.

Cheers,

Roger Phillips and Paul Medici