Save the Cassowary from Extinction in Australia

A Year of Conservation Triumphs

What an extraordinary journey 2023 has been! Despite facing unparalleled challenges, our dedication to the Save the Cassowary project has remained steadfast. As we reflect on the past year, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the unwavering support from our community. Together, we've achieved significant milestones and triumphed over obstacles.

Planting Milestones

Thanks to the remarkable support of Rainforest Rescuers worldwide, we proudly secured the protection of five rainforest properties, totalling an impressive 26 hectares. These rescues ensure the perpetual preservation of critical habitats for the cassowary and other native species.

Furthermore, the establishment of the New Nursery, made possible by your generous contributions, has been nothing short of extraordinary. This year alone, we've cultivated an astounding 50,000 trees—a significant increase of 38,000 from the previous year. This expansion has empowered us to escalate our restoration efforts and forge stronger conservation partnerships.

Our tree planting initiatives have soared to new heights, with over 20,000 trees planted throughout the year. Notably, we achieved a personal milestone by planting 4,000 trees in a single day at the Mossman Botanic Garden, underscoring our collective impact on environmental conservation.

As a result of our focus on growing the Daintree while growing the Restoration Economy, Rainforest Rescue now has a fully vertically integrated business model. We are providing everything from biodiverse seed collection through propagation to restoration, carbon sequestration and ultimately the creation of rich habitat, capable of attracting funding from this emerging natural capital marketplace.

Facing Challenges

Amidst our successes, we also encountered challenges. Despite enduring an unusually dry season, we faced the onslaught of Cyclone Jasper, which wrought havoc across the region, causing widespread flooding and devastation.

In the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper, as communities and infrastructure grappled with the aftermath, our nursery emerged unscathed—a testament to its resilience and strategic positioning. While our team weathered temporary displacement, we extend our support to those affected and commend the tireless efforts of local authorities and volunteers in the recovery process. This ordeal underscores the urgency of our conservation efforts as we rebuild and restore, strengthening our resolve to protecting the Daintree Rainforest and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Wildlife Encounters

We are delighted to announce the seamless transition of Seed Collector, Nico Walker Gonzalez, from the new Cow Bay Native Nursery to the land management team. This transition further bolsters our capacity for property maintenance and wildlife monitoring, propelling us toward even greater conservation achievements.

The thrill among our team was palpable when Land Manager, Hayden White, and Nico, shared trail-cam footage capturing two adult cassowaries and two young chicks at Lot 41, which we acquired at the beginning of 2023.

You can view that video here on our Instagram channel. (Watch until the end to see Nico in action, taking the opportunity to collect some seeds to help with our restoration efforts.)

These wildlife encounters, particularly the sightings of cassowaries and their chicks, serve as poignant reminders of the significance of our conservation efforts. They reaffirm that our collective endeavours are making a tangible difference, a t the same time inspiring our efforts in safeguarding and restoring our precious rainforest ecosystem.

Together, we will continue to protect and preserve the Daintree Rainforest for generations to come.