A new Nature Refuge has been created in the Daintree rainforest through a declaration by the Queensland Parliament.

Lot 22 Camelot Close at Cape Tribulation was purchased by not for profit organisation Rainforest Rescue in April 2007. “That’s when the work began to create the Nature Refuge” said Kelvin Davies CEO of Rainforest Rescue.

Many people think living in the Daintree will be paradise, especially if they arrive in winter. The summer wet season usually brings a different outlook with near constant rain and high humidity. “When we purchased the property it was an excellent example of the abandoned Daintree dream,” said Kelvin.  Two derelict old caravans covered in mould and a range of building materials including the kitchen sink filled a clearing the previous owners had made in the rainforest. Plants for the intended garden had escaped, become weeds and were invading the rainforest understorey.

The caravans were cut up and truckloads of rubbish were taken to the Cow Bay transfer station or further south on trailers. Then the weeds were tackled with a consistent approach requiring multiple follow up visits. Finally 500 trees were planted in the clearing to complete the restoration process. At that stage Rainforest Rescue lodged its application with the Queensland Government and following a thorough assessment of the conservation values of the property, Nature Refuge status was conferred through an Act of the Queensland Parliament.

The Nature Refuge agreement between Rainforest Rescue and the Queensland Government will ensure the land is protected forever and has the exclusive purpose of nature conservation. The kuku yalanji people of the Daintree were asked to give a name to the property choosing the ‘kulki anga’ Nature Refuge. In the kuku yalanji language kulki anga means ‘Cape Tribulation home for wildlife’.

The property is covered in lowland tropical rainforest and has the Tribulation Creek running through it. Being located within a Cairns Regional Council ‘rainforest residential precinct’ the land could have been developed for housing if not purchased by Rainforest Rescue

The new Nature Refuge has plenty to catch the eye. Cassowaries, Bennetts Tree-kangaroos, Striped Possums, Orange-footed Scrub Fowl and other wildlife regularly visit and there are some spectacular trees. The high conservation value of the property has been confirmed by a very large list of plants recorded in a survey. The 2.12 hectare property has an amazing 185 species of trees & shrubs in addition to 24 species of ferns. The largest tree is an ancient Strangler Fig measuring over 11 metres circumference at chest height and an impressive specimen of Hope’s Cycad stands at 6 m in height

Rainforest Rescue’s purchase of the property and its protection as a declared Nature Refuge saves this precious rainforest from development. Their Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project has financed the purchase and protection of 11 properties so far, independent of government funding. Money has been raised through individuals in the Australian community making tax-deductible donations to Rainforest Rescue and by businesses sponsorships.

Rainforest Rescue have placed a deposit on their 12th property; to make a donation and help buy back the Daintree phone 1300 763 611 or visit www.rainforestrescue.org.au