Purchase and Protect Forever Endangered Rainforest

As I look at the reporting on the state of the environment—between the ‘news’. and the doom feeds on social media—I remain pragmatically optimistic. I don’t mean a ‘pollyanna-naïve-optimism’, I mean an optimism that’s based on real hope and real action.

The kind of actions that you, as one of our very special supporters, have provided these past few years.

I remain optimistic because there’s truly no other option. We know the many and varied threats that are out there—and we know that we must protect the Daintree Rainforest like never before. And with your help, we have protected an incredible 200Ha of rainforest in Australia since Rainforest Rescue began almost 25 years ago.

One of our latest endeavors involves the acquisition of Lot 1, Cape Tribulation Rd ... this is a very special rescue, a unique example of Littoral Rainforest and a place where the rainforest literally meets the reef.

I’m sure that you’ve often heard me say that every patch of rainforest is special and unique—and of course each is—but I think that you should hear from Dean Miller, Managing Director, Great Barrier Reef Legacy about why your support of Rainforest Rescue and buying this property, is so important;

‘I think it’s exciting, because a lot of people talk about the rainforest to reef, but very few people put it into action. Rainforest Rescue and Great Barrier Reef Legacy are working together, to get that done. We’re excited, collaboration is key and working together in two vastly different environments impact each other and intricately connected is really, really important’

To be perfectly candid, even with some of the more impressive properties we’ve rescued, we’ve never protected a rainforest block quite like this before.

Lot 1, Cape Tribulation Rd is 10 acres of both critically endangered Littoral Rainforest and endangered Wet Tropics Lowland Rainforest. It ticks both of the Endangered and Critically Endangered Ecosystem (EPBC) boxes.

And when Dean talks of two very different environments that impact each other, this is such a truism. When I think of Lot 1, I think of the incredible diversity of life in and on and above this land.

From bacteria to mycorrhizal networks—amazing pathways of communication and nutrient sharing between trees—to the remarkably diverse ecosystems, from wetland to rainforest proper, this property supports so much life! It’s nothing short of miraculous.

It also provides invaluable refugia and foraging grounds for the rare and threatened species of the Daintree that we all love so much, like the Southern Cassowary and Bennett’s Tree-Kangaroo, the Spotted Quoll and the Daintree Ringtail Possum.

This property—in fact all the protected coastal property—plays a crucial role in helping prevent soil runoff into the sea and onto the reef.

As Dean explains so succinctly:

“The connection between rainforest and reef has never been more apparent or crucial as they rely on each other for their very survival. Healthy coral reefs provide the molecules that create cloud formation which drive weather patterns and induce rainfall that rainforests depend on. While rainforests act as the kidneys of the land to hold fast the soil and ensure water draining off these magnificent places is clear and nutrient poor, so corals don’t suffocate.”

Given the crises of coral bleaching amidst degraded lands creating erosion and siltation that suffocates the reef and its delicate coral colonies, helping to protect its water sources is a powerful and important action to take.

This is what makes Lot 1 so special and quite unlike any other property that you’ve helped us rescue; and why your continued support is so important.

I know you are happy to hear that we are achieving so much together and it is incredible people like you who make all this happen.

Together we are making a real and visible difference that not only inspires us—it inspires our partners in the region and people around the world who are concerned about the future of Nature and the remarkable miracle that is life on this unlikely planet.

And we are very fortunate to be making a difference when there is so much to be done. It often feels quite overwhelming, and yet to do this great work in such a special, such a fragile and beautiful place as the Daintree is such an uncommon honour.

This opportunity to rescue—to purchase and protect—more of Australia’s most biodiverse and largest rainforest is not common, not at all. It is a rare opportunity, and when it does come up, we have to act or we will miss out to someone seeking to shamelessly build on it.

I will ensure that your generous support will help us prevent that.

Together we are making a greater difference in the Daintree every single year. We’re getting better, stronger and more effective. But only because of you and your continued support.

This is our legacy–yours and mine—and Rainforest Rescue is all of us. This is meaningful and it is how we are contributing to a better tomorrow, to protecting Nature from development and increasing protected habitat for the rare and threatened species of the Daintree who rely on this habitat for their very survival

Thank you for taking action for the climate, for the planet and for the rainforest.

Links:

• Protecting the Rainforest & Coral Reef-A Rainforest Rescue Video