You may like to know that there are 3 threatened species lists a State Government, Federal Government and an internationally recognised list to which we can refer to identify recognised lists of rare and threatened species. This outlines the listing of the Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) within these three lists.

Conservation Status listing of the Southern Cassowary

(Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) Australian

Here are the 3 lists current as of 4^th October 2011.

1. Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 (Threatened Fauna of Australia List) managed by Federal Government – Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPBC_Act and http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=25986

Listed as: Endangered

2. Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Threatened Species List) managed by QLD State Government – Department of Environment and Resource Management http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/threatened_plants_and_animals/endangered/cassowary.html

Listed as: Endangered

3. International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species

http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/141088/0

Listed as: Vulnerable

If you would like to help ensure that this crucial keystone species for the North Queensland Rainforests survives please give generously to our Cassowary appeal today.

Andrew on the Mardja Botanical Boardwalk in the Daintree Rainforest

“After the tour we met Alice Moffett from Rainforest Rescue and continued up to Ferntree Rainforest Lodge where we would stay for the weekend. The next day we went with Alice to the Mardja Botanical Boardwalk. Whilst on the walk we took a photo of a great specimen of a Fan Palm right next to the path. After leaving the boardwalk we headed off to the Daintree Discovery Centre where we explored the area for about an hour taking in the sights and sounds.  At the centre we saw a baby crocodile and an Amethystine Python. Later Alice introduced us to Joe Reichl who is the Daintree Project Manager of Rainforest Rescue. He showed us around one of the Rainforest Rescue tree planting sites. Joe gave us a tour of the nursery where the new plants are propagated from seeds. Then we went to another area of the site that had previously been planted several months ago. Alice and Joe pointed out an area which had 3 year old trees to give us an idea of how tall they had grown. It showed that in this time that the trees had already started to create a canopy which minimised the growth of weeds and therefore the need for maintenance.

After a short break back at the Lodge we headed back to the Daintree Discovery Centre for further exploration that included walking up the Canopy Tower which is 23 metres high and gave an unimpeded view of the rainforest canopy. On the way back to the Rainforest Lodge we encountered a large adult Cassowary crossing the road. Unfortunately the video camera was in the boot of the car, so we stopped about 100 metres by the side of the road. By the time I had grabbed the camera the Cassowary had disappeared into the bushes. We were later informed by Alice and Joe how rare it is to see a Cassowary. We left feeling slightly disappointed that we didn’t capture it on film. Before we headed back to the resort, we took a short walk along the Dubuji Boardwalk where we heard some amazing bird songs which we captured on video.

Juvenile Cassowary visits the Converga Forest tree planting day

The following day we headed off with Alice to the tree planting site where we met Joe and some of the volunteers. Just before we got to the site we came across a young Cassowary grazing by the side of the road. I was able to film the Cassowary as we slowly drove past making sure not to startle it before we headed off to the tree planting site. We were shown the area we were to plant and some of the trees.  The site which was formerly used as a farm is 27 hectares with a fantastic backdrop of Thornton Peak. We enjoyed meeting and planting with a fantastic group of volunteers who helped plant approximately 420 trees. Then I helped Joe put up the Converga sign and plant some special plants around it. Shortly after we were all amazed and delighted by the appearance of a young Cassowary (possibly the same one we came across before).  It strolled through the newly planted trees exploring the area before heading off into the bush. After taking a few group photos around the new sign we said our farewells and headed off back down to Cairns for our connecting flight back to Canberra.

The Rainforest Rescue / Converga team unveil the Converga Forest Sign

I would like to thank Jane for organising this amazing trip. Also would like to say thank you to Alice and Joe from Rainforest Rescue for showing us around the sites and sharing their invaluable knowledge of the wildlife and plants of the Daintree. It was truly inspiring to be around such positive and dedicated group of people who are doing such a great job.”

Thanks for coming Andrew and Marisa. You and Converga are doing great work for the Daintree rainforest

Lena Mackrel Poetry Collection 2011

Rainforest Rescue’s campaign to save the endangered cassowary has received unexpected support from the winner in this year’s Lena Mackrel Poetry Competition in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Matthew Reaney’s poem ‘The Cassowary’, highlights the Cassowary’s relationship with its rainforest habitat as well as its unique beauty.  Less than 1000 of the Southern Cassowary exist on the entire continent of Australia.

Taking the competition’s major trophy, Matthew has dedicated use of his poem to the threatened species through the Rainforest Rescue Campaign. Matthew is a pupil of The Armstrong School in Armagh City and  2011′s beautiful Poetry Collection is solely sponsored by Ulster Bank Northern Ireland through the auspices of  Regional Manager Paul Thompson.

Recognition for Matthew began with his poem’s selection by adjudicator and published poet Gráinne Tobin.  Focusing on attributes from each winning entry, Ms Tobin, told her audience: ‘I liked Matthew Reaney’s ‘The Cassowary’ for its wit. The poem reminds me of Edward Lear’s style. It has humour, elegance and sustained control of language. He uses rhyme but doesn’t allow rhyme to use him. The cassowary is clearly Australian, says ‘G’day’ and chats to possums.  The bird’s crest and stance is also well caught’.

Impressed by the quality of young Matthew’s poem, Competition Secretary Pamela Rea emailed a copy to family contacts in Brisbane who suggested it might be of interest to the Rainforest Rescue Campaign.

The Lena Mackrel Poetry Competition is unique in the United Kingdom in that it was founded by local man, 86 years old Bert Mackrel, who is blind, and set up in 1999 as a tribute to his late wife Lena. From small beginnings and the support of Head Teachers in Armagh City, the ‘Lena Mackrel’ acquired sufficient literary kudos to qualify as an eagerly contested annual event.

Head teacher David Dickson commented ‘It was a privilege, once again, to be part of what has become a local phenomenon – The Lena Mackrel Poetry Competition. We are, of course, delighted with The Armstrong’s success this year and very proud that Matthew’s poem will be recognised in an international context’

Rainforest Rescue congratulates and thanks Mathew for his inspired poetic efforts

Click here to get more information on the Cassowary and what can be done to help it survive

Reaching the Indian Ocean - ELATED!

It’s been an amazing week of cycling across Sri Lanka…. and now we have reached our final destination of Galle, in the south west of this wonderful island.

The hill country was steep but spectacular, with smiling faces shouting, “Ayu Bowan” – may you have a long life - at every turn.

The highlight for many people was ‘Satan’s Steps’ – a rugged, bouldered path on the side of the mountain that was quite precarious… Thick mist rose up from the valley, shrouded us until we could not see the precipice to our left. Photos to follow soon!

Negin planting a rainforest tree at the RRI restoration site

Another highlight was spending time with Rainforest Rescue International in the rainforest of Hiniduma. We camped at their Amphibian Research Centre, and experts took us on walks, showing us the local habitat, the restoration, conservation and research projects that they are working on with the local communities. We all planted trees at one of the restoration sites, and had an incredible ‘jungle lunch’ – food from the rainforest – prepared and cooked by local families.

The hill country - Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Kelvin, Dan and myself are resting up in Colombo before leaving to visit Rainforest Rescue’s Orangutan Habitat for Survival Project in Sumatra. The others have gone home now… with sun on their faces, and many tales to tell of their time Riding for the Rainforest!

We are all inspired by the work that is being done here to help protect the rainforests of Sri Lanka.

Cu soon,

Krista

Click here for more information on the Ride for the Rainforest

We cycled up,up,up 2 horton’s plain for 20km,starting at dawn.Following was a 10km walk to incredible views down mtns,bright paddy fields below.Traditional spicy lunch under shady trees.Then half the group opted 2take the bus 2camp.Me,Dan,colin, ange, clint rode on…The track was amazing.Known as Satan’s Steps, it wound down the side of the mountain steeply, so rough and full of stones,rocks and boulders it was like riding a bronco horse.Whenever the path went up,it was so steep and rocky,most had 2walk.After 60km we reached camp.It was after dark.Felt great sense of achievement.Bbq by river X

Day one of cycling was enormous!

The mountains are huge, beautiful, with spectacular views and friendly people along the way. We clocked 60 kms up steep mountain tracks from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.

The group is great. Angela, Clint and Dan are superheros… They kept going when everybody else (even the guide) had called it a day… We have a great photographer documenting the trip, who has taken to riding in the bus much of the time as she hadn’t enough time to train for the hills – and that is our camera pro competition winner Ebony.

Negin is going well, and determination comes with every pedal. Leree and Colin are really getting into meeting the local people and have made many friends already… Colin has also made a special relationship with the monkeys in the forest, and they love to follow him wherever he goes…

As for me, I have a bit of sunstroke, so sorry that this email is not that fab… The day was a hot one. Now we are up in the hills it’s a bit cooler thank goodness.

We start riding at 5.30 tomorrow morning, so I should go and get some sleep. We will be reaching the horton plains national park.

Still not able to end pix but will hopefully be able to in the next few days.

Lots of love to you all

From Krista xxx

More information on Sri Lankan Rainforest Protection projects

More Information on Ride for the Rainforest

Kelvin Davies on the Cassowary Coast

Earlier this month over 100,000 hectares of Cassowary habitat was damaged by Cyclone Yasi in Far North Queensland. This represents 10% of the remaining prime Cassowary habitat in Australia. For a threatened species thought to number only 1,000 individuals this is a huge threat to their survival.

Driving south from Innisfail one is confronted by brown hills and mountain ranges, reminiscent of a bushfire. The destruction continues on to Mission Beach where Cyclone Yasi crossed the coast. The usually lush green rainforest trees are stripped of their leaves and rainforest fruits.

Denuded Hills of the Cassowary Coast after Cyclone Yasi

Up to 100 Cassowaries are thought to inhabit the area and food resources are now significantly depleted. Access through the rainforest is also severely interrupted due to the number of fallen trees and this is forcing the birds to move into open country. Cassowary encounters are becoming very frequent, even in the streets of Mission Beach as they desperately search for food.

Please donate now and support Rainforest Rescue in funding the purchase of food for the Cassowaries.

In 2006 thirty two Cassowary deaths were recorded at Mission Beach after Cyclone Larry. Seventeen were killed on local roads and six were killed by dogs.

Distressed Cassowary in Mission Beach

The Cassowaries of Mission Beach need your help if they are to survive. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have established feeding stations in the rainforest and Rainforest Rescue is supportive of this emergency response.

The QPWS have now established 53 feeding stations and have so far distributed 1500 kg of fruit. Observations from the community have been very helpful in locating appropriate places for feeding stations. If you are in the Mission Beach region and sight a Cassowary phone the 24hr HOTLINE: 1300 130 372 to provide information.

Volunteers willing to help with the important job of cutting up fruit are also welcome at Garners Beach on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Supplementary feeding of Cassowaries is expected to be needed for up to eighteen months. During this time Rainforest Rescue will be buying fruit to support the feeding program. Providing fruit will help to keep birds in the rainforest and reduce the risk of them being killed on roads or being attached by dogs.

Please make a donation today and help plant rainforest trees for the Cassowaries.

Rainforest Rescue is funding the purchase of food for the Cassowaries, road signs and importantly, restoration of habitat to ensure their long term survival.

Make a donation to help save the Cassowary!

“The habitat of the endangered Cassowary is under threat from property developments, particularly around the Mission Beach area south of Cairns. With only 1500 of the flightless birds left in the wild, environmentalists are launching a rainforest buy-back scheme to help save the species. Conservationists like Bob Irwin are also calling for public support to save the endangered Cassowary.”

Endangered Cassowary under threat

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2010/s2790008.htm#

If you are thinking of coming on the Ride for Rainforest “Sri Lanka Cycle Challenge” this is a great place to get a taste for the kinds of endangered wildlife you will be able to meet there

While planting in the Daintree, we had the amazing opportunity to check out a few of the local companies that support Rainforest Rescue through regular donations. Both the Daintree Discovery Centre and Daintree Discovery Tours help to turn the overwhelming wonder of the Daintree into an understandable and enjoyable experience.

The Daintree Discovery Centre was an excellent way to learn about all aspects of the region. The centre has a beautiful aerial walkway and canopy tower that allows you to see the rainforest from a higher perspective—something that is not easily achieved without wings. As you walk throughout the outdoor portion of the centre (which is the majority of it) you can listen to telephone style audio guides that cover many aspects of the rainforest (ecological, cultural and historical). We found that a lot of our questions about certain trees or animals that we had seen in our travels were answered on this visit. It was a great source of information on the area.

In addition to learning about the area, we wanted to see as much as we could—and that’s where Daintree Discovery Tours came in. The tour of the Daintree that this organization provides is the best way to see a vast range of the rainforest first hand. We did everything from sea kayaking to swimming to crocodile spotting to ice cream sampling. It would have been difficult to fit anything else in! Our wonderful guide, Adrian, delivered interesting Daintree factoids throughout the day, which not only proved to be educational—they were unusually entertaining. It was such a personalized and small scale tour that it didn’t feel like the typical tourist experience. It was more like meeting a local at the pub and him agreeing to take you for a spin around the area. We had a truly fantastic day.

The best part about these businesses is they practice what they preach. They exist to allow people the opportunity to explore the Daintree and so they make a real effort to help preserve it through their support of Rainforest Rescue.

We wouldn’t have walked away from this experience with so much knowledge of the area if it weren’t for these fabulous organizations.

Words by Kaleigh Wisman                                        Images by Jon Sturge

Explore a little of the ‘Big Scrub‘ from Byron Bay to Lismore. Julie Olsen unearths a treasure trove of local rainforest delights. If you’re into rainforest, Byron Bay and Lismore offer the perfect base from which to explore the little-known beauties of northern New South Wales.

Get ready to be swept off your feet as you meander along cute country roads between Byron Bay and Lismore.

Locals affectionately refer to these stunning rainforests as “the Big Scrub” and as far as self drives go, this is one of those secret little gems you won’t find in any guidebook. Plus there’s something extra special about touring pockets of rainforest saved by the sweat, blood and tears of caring locals.

For starters, it clears your mind and gets you thinking.

Breakfast in Byron Bay is a great way to start the day and once you’ve checked out the surfing action on the beach, it’s time to wind down the window (for some fresh air of course) and follow Old Bangalow Road for the narrow, scenic ascent to the top of the range.

The Hayter’s Hill rainforest remnant skirting both sides of the road offers a glimpse of the rainforest to come. But stay in your car. There are no walking tracks and the barbs of the native lawyers vines will leave you with no doubt as to why they’re called ‘wait-a-whiles’.

With stunning views across the bay, this country has to be heaven on earth. Nature converts, Neil and Erica Holland, have views to die for as well as seven acres of magnificent regenerated rainforest. Not a bad effort for a couple of beef cattle farmers. In fact, their remnant is so precious it was recently nominated for inclusion in the register of the National Estate. Neil’s eyes light up when he tells you about the wildlife. He sees plenty of platypus as well as rare birds galore. Little wonder their cabins have become a runaway ecotourism success.

If you’re a visitor to the region, you’ll probably agree that Byron Bay Farmstay would make the perfect base camp for this drive. Just make sure you book ahead.

Check out the couple’s remnant as you drive past. It’s on the left just past Hayter’s Hill.

Next up is Booyong Nature Reserve.

Head for the delightful town of Bangalow and follow signs off Bangalow Road until you reach the little blip known as Booyong.

You’ll find the 18.62-hectare reserve tucked away to the right, just under the bridge. The noisy squabbles of the local fruit bat colony should alert you to the start of the walking track and the information board offers a great read. The short walk towards the river is a must for any true blue tree-lover but cover up and take care to avoid the lawyer vines.

More than 150 plant species have been recorded in this reserve, along with some rare and fascinating creatures like the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. If you’re ready for a cuppa, there’s a quaint little picnic spot just a short walk away, up the road on the left. Here, you can marvel at the Giant Water Gum. They don’t come much bigger than this beauty.

Alstonville is the next port of call.

It’s a pretty drive to get there and from the car, you can sneak a peak at the Willowbank remnant on the left. As soon as you arrive, park opposite the rainforest remnant at Lumley Park – this is an essential stop for anyone who has ever given the bush a helping hand. It’s also a good toilet stop.

Rainforest regeneration work commenced here in 1934, making it one of the earliest regeneration sites in Australia. Check out the old croquet clubhouse and enjoy an easy stroll through the rainforest.

Taking Wardell Road, continue south towards the most southern remnant of the Big Scrub – Victoria Park. It’s well worth keeping aside some loose change for the $6 permit as well as the fruit and vege stalls dotted along the roadsides. Limes, pumpkins, avocados and macadamias are just a few of the goodies available in season.

As you get nearer, the park is signposted. Plenty of picnic tables and a barbecue are provided on the edge of this little wonderland but the real treat is the 300m boardwalk through the rainforest. As well as boasting strangler figs and a monstrous tree propped up by huge buttress roots, this 17.5 hectare reserve is a haven for pademelons, potaroos, mountain possums and bizarre creatures like the land mullet. Bird watchers, too, can have a field day here spotting Wompoo fruit doves, noisy pittas and other rainforest residents.

First dedicated as a public reserve in 1898, this magical spot is a tribute to the hard work of local community groups.

Next up is Lismore and a patch of urban rainforest. You can either follow the main drag or, like us, take the backroads through lush macadamia farming country. If you like vegetarian food, Henry’s Bakery on Keen Street serves up a great selection and you can steal away to the serenity of Rotary Park – six hectares of dry rainforest just three kilometres from the CBD. It’s worth picking up the pamphlet for the rainforest walk, available from the Lismore Visitor Information Centre, corner Ballina and Molesworth Streets.

Follow the boardwalk and check out the huge Moreton Bay Fig, believed to be 300 years old.

As an alternative, you might prefer to push on to Boat Harbour Nature Reserve, about five kilometres north of Lismore, another relaxing spot with toilets, picnic areas and gentle walking. Once you’ve checked out the fascinating old photos on the information board, take the short walk to the viewing platform overlooking the river. At dawn or dusk, and providing you don’t make a sound, the waters below are said to come alive with platypus. From this pleasant vantage, it’s easy to see why Boat Harbour was a popular swimming and fishing spot in days gone by.

Make sure you leave plenty of time to explore Rocky Creek Dam because it’s the kind of place that leaves rainforest lovers wanting more. It’s a great drive north and the charming rural scenery will have you oohing and ahhing at every turn. The dam lies at the base of the rugged Nightcap Range at the southern extremity of the Mount Warning Caldera. You can tell this is one part of Australia that receives plenty of rain. When full, the dam holds 14,000 megalitres which supplies some 100,000 consumers on the far north coast of New South Wales.

But what strikes you most about this place is the natural beauty. Local water authority, Rous Water, has gone to extraordinary lengths to restore and extend the rainforest surrounding the dam. As well as planting local native species, they’ve assisted natural regeneration by removed weeds like lantana. Catchment manager, Anthony Acret, works closely with the community on ecological initiatives, the idea being to promote good water quality and a healthy catchment. On show are some farming innovations, like planted lots of local native cabinet timber.

To soak it all up, there’s the option of a couple of short, easy strolls and those with energy to burn can take a longer walk across the spillway to the Big Scrub and back. (Be prepared to get you feet wet). The picnic facilities are hard to beat and there’s a great children’s playground.

If you’re into landcare, you may be back before you know it because Rocky Creek Dam is the site of the Big Scrub Rainforest Day – the largest annual landcare education event in Australia. Keep Sunday 7th September free for this mega event that includes everything from stalls, guided walks and kids activities to bush dancing and yoga in the rainforest. It’s all free and you can get hold of a program by phoning (02) 6627 0120.

For those who can’t help but linger, watching the sunset over the mountains at Rocky Creek Dam is a great way to top off a full day of rainforest exploration. It’s nice just to sit by the water, spell-bound by the reflections, and do a bit of your own reflecting on the inexplicable beauty of nature.

In this magic part of the world, these stunning pockets of rainforest offer special glimpses of what this part of northern New South Wales was once like. In its heyday, the Big Scrub was the greatest single stand of subtropical rainforest in the world. It covered a whopping 75,000 hectares; an area the size of metropolitan Sydney. Just imagine. An endless sea of rainforest encircling what is now Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.

Today, less than half a percent remains and local community groups pour their hearts and souls into keep these remnants viable. But it’s a labour of love. These surviving forests offer the only refuge for hundreds of species of rainforest plants and animals, so many in fact that collectively, the Big Scrub remnants boast the third highest terrestrial ecosystem biodiversity in Australia. But you’ll just have to explore a little of the Big Scrub for yourself.

To support local efforts to restore the Big Scrub Rainforest, you can make a donation to the Big Scrub Restoration Project at the Rainforest Rescue web site or phone (02) 6684 4360. Rainforest Rescue is a not for profit, non-government organisation committed to saving Australia’s rainforests for current and future generations.

The Lismore Visitor Information Centre can assist with a range of maps and brochures for the region (phone 1300 369 795). For starters, the ‘Byron Lismore Ballina Hinterland – Gateway to the Forests’ brochure and ‘Bush to Beach’ brochure that covers National Parks, State Forests, Nature Reserves on the Far North Coast of NSW are both recommended.