Save the Cassowary from Extinction in Australia

Time to Grow – a New Initiative for Increased Restoration in the Daintree

Rainforest Rescue has embarked on a bold new project that will increase the number of local, endemic, genetically diverse and appropriate rainforest trees by as much as 500% for the region.

That means that we’ll be boosting our capacity from about 12,000 trees per year to, eventually, 150,000 trees per year. That’s an increase of 1150%. That’s inspiring!

Now, why would we want to do that?

Because we believe that Trees are the Answer to many of the problems that we’re facing: the climate is changing – sequester more carbon; the Daintree has been reduced through agriculture and grazing and development over the years – let’s expand it; habitat loss is one of the main drivers behind species loss – let’s create more habitat. Annually there are perhaps 30,000 trees available in the Daintree region to be put towards restoration and that’s not enough – let’s propagate more trees!

In each of the above cases, trees make the difference – trees are the difference.

What does this have to do with the Australian Southern Cassowary?

The greatest threat to Cassowaries is us … People! Rapid urban development has either destroyed or fragmented much of their territory, particularly in lowland areas — territory such as the habitat associated with feeding and breeding activities.

Listed as Endangered, the Australian Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) has fewer than 4,600 birds left in the wild. Regarded as a ‘keystone’ species, these living dinosaurs play a crucial role in rainforest ecology and regeneration.

Through eating the fruits of over 240 species of rainforest plants and excreting the seeds great distances from the parent plant, the cassowary plays a vital role as a ‘rainforest gardener’. Many rainforest plants depend on the cassowary to move about the landscape … without them, the structure of the rainforest would permanently change.

With so few birds left in the wild, we must act now to help save the Endangered Southern Cassowary. If it becomes extinct, we stand to lose not just one of Australia’s most iconic animal species, but also the magnificent Daintree Rainforest — as we know it.

Trees are the answer!

The nursery that was gifted to us 11 years ago by the Cassowary Recovery Team has been and continues to be a productive tree producer – with it we’ve managed to restore Lot 46 and its 28 hectares and have completed half of the 15 hectares that make up NightWings.

But the climate crisis continues to escalate and external forces that threaten the Daintree continue to grow. To address those issues we are committed to growing more trees than ever before in the region – and to do that, we’re designing a large-capacity nursery that is based on Mark Dunphy’s high capacity nursery in sub-tropical New South Wales. Mark is working with us to ensure that the template is adapted for the location and the environment.

And in addition to that, we’ve secured a location thanks to our partnership with Queensland Trust for Nature (QTFN), who we worked with to facilitate the purchase of Lot 83 at the Gateway to the Daintree. Its almost 1000 acres has 200+ acres that back onto the National Park and will be our first restoration project beyond NightWings. (Read more about that here.)

Along with Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation, the three organisations are poised to work together to regenerate significant portions of degraded areas of the Daintree.

Imagine when we are counting the number of trees in the millions

Ahead we have much do to, but its already been set in motion. From the rescue of Lot 83 and QTFN’s plan for a long-term nursery footprint for Rainforest Rescue to the people stepping forward to help make it real – from project management to planning to irrigation design to grants of financial support and donations and more – we’re on a wonderful new path that will complement our ongoing property buyback and rescue program as part of what makes Rainforest Rescue relevant in rainforest protection.

Trees are the Answer to restoration in the rainforests in the Far North – and Rainforest Rescue is up to the challenge, thanks to our supportive partnerships and thanks to you, our supporters.

Thanks to you – Lot 24 Cape Tribulation Rd is safe from development – forever!

Thanks to our community of Rainforest Rescuers & Rainforest Guardians who believe in the importance of nature over development, this beautiful rainforest property will be protected from development and will continue to provide essential habitat for the many local endemic and endangered species, like the Southern Cassowary. Together we are Protecting Rainforests Forever!

Lot 24 Cape Tribulation Road is strategically located to increase an established wildlife corridor and connect protected rainforest, this property connects to the Daintree National Park / World Heritage Area through prior rescues. The purchase and rescue has further extended the Rainforest Rescue Cape Kimberley Wildlife Corridor.

This beautiful rainforest is near prior rescues and connects directly to the National Park. It is in close proximity to 10 properties protected by Rainforest Rescue that form the Cape Kimberley Wildlife Corridor and the Milky Pine Wildlife Refuge; its protection further enhances these areas.

Rare and endangered species such as the Australian Southern Cassowary and Bennett’s Tree-Kangaroo are endemic to the area, and ancient primitive flowering plants abound.

Buying this property extends a priceless and important wildlife and biodiversity nature corridor, significantly building upon existing Rainforest Rescue protected areas. This buyback is of vital importance and prevents rainforest destructive development.

“Acquiring this property augments the integrity of the wildlife corridor we have already established through lots 27, 29, 30, 32 and 33. With a significantly high ecological score we recommend that Rainforest Rescue urgently acquire this property.” — Allen Sheather, Rainforest Rescue’s Daintree Ecological Advisor with Barbara Maslen.

Lot 24 Cape Tribulation Road is the next piece of the Cape Kimberley Wildlife Corridor puzzle

This property is rich in endemic species of plants and animals. Plants like the beautifully scented Daintree Gardenia (Randia audasii) or the many species of primitive Laurels, relatives of avocados such as Sankey’s Walnut and animals such as Striped Possums and one of Australia’s most primitive Kangaroos, the Musky Rat Kangaroo. It directly connects to the Daintree National Park, and our field staff have assessed this property with a very high ecological score.

It is only through the support of incredible people like you, that this precious rainforest and habitat can be protected from development. Your support ensures that when we pool resources and target our efforts, we can protect and restore damaged habitat for the benefit of rainforest animals, plants, insects and fungi, and for future generations.

In the absence of greater legislative protections, we believe it’s incumbent on good people like you and I to protect and preserve what we love; that nature and rainforests such as the Daintree simply must be protected forever.

The Daintree is Australia’s crown jewel of biodiversity – it is nothing less than our honour to protect it—with your support and your commitment to nature, we will continue to do so.

Every rescue is essential, and we will keep rescuing rainforest, block by block, protecting it forever, but only with your help. Heroes like you are Protecting Rainforests Forever

We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support and belief in the work of Rainforest Rescue. Our 35th rescue in the Daintree World Heritage Area is only possible because people like you care enough to make the difference.

THANK YOU!

The Team at Rainforest Rescue

PS. Stay tuned for more good news.