Cassowaries are endangered and under pressure from events such as cyclones, car strike and dog attack

A year ago today, Cyclone Yasi crossed the north Queensland coast at Mission Beach wreaking devastation on what little Cassowary habitat remains. Cassowaries were forced to leave their rainforest home in search of food, putting them in danger of being hit by cars and attacked by dogs.

Sadly the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have confirmed that # Cassowaries have died since the Cyclone. With scientists estimating that only 40 adult birds remain in Mission Beach, the situation is becoming dire.

There are few Australian rainforest species as iconic as the Endangered Southern Cassowary.

Referred to as the ‘gardener of the rainforest’ because of the 238 different species of rainforest seeds it disperses, the Cassowary is essential for rainforest ecology.

Loss of habitat through rural residential development has significantly reduced the number of Cassowaries to as few as 1,000 in the wild. With more than 80% of lowland rainforest gone, Cassowaries are fast running out of habitat.

To ensure the survival of this important rainforest species we need to ACT NOW. Will you help them survive?

Help fund our efforts to expand critical rainforest habitat for Cassowaries affected by the devastation of Cyclone Yasi. Make a tax-deductible now.

Immediately following the Cyclone in February 2011, Rainforest Rescue supporters generously responded to our urgent call for action, donating funds to establish feed stations.

This month, work will commence at Mission Beach to restore a critical Mission Beach Cassowary corridor. It will provide habitat, food, and a safe passage for generations of Cassowaries to come. And importantly it will increase resilience to future cyclonic impact.

Our goal is to plant 10,000 trees this wet season.

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Our project partners in North Sumatra, the Orangutan Information Centre (OIC) have helped with another successful Orangutan rescue in Langkat District, North Sumatra.

Having received reports of an Orangutan crop-raiding in Pante Buaya village, Besitang, the OIC’s HOCRU (Human Orangutan Conflict Response Unit) team visited the scene and discovered a male Orangutan had become isolated in farmland and appeared unwell, moving very slowly through the trees.

After monitoring the Orangutan for two days the HOCRU team worked with members of the local community and Orangutan rescue and rehabilitation organisation SOCP to move him.

The Orangutan was encouraged to move to lower trees then tranquilised by the SOCP vet and placed in a net before transportation.

The Orangutan was found to have two air rifle bullets in his body and one finger missing and is currently in the care of SOCP, undergoing further health checks.

“Human-orangutan conflict, caused by ongoing loss of habitat, is a major threat to orangutans in the wild,” says Helen Buckland, UK Director of the Sumatran Orangutan Society. “It is only because of our supporters that we are able to tackle such problems; thank you. But we still need your help – these threats are not going away.”

You can help the Sumatran Orangutan by making a donation to our Orangutan Habitat for Survival Project by visiting http://www.rainforestrescue.org.au/ourprojects/save-a-rainforest-orangutan.html.

Donations will be used to protect and restore 60 hectares of Orangutan habitat in the Gunung Leuser National park through the planting of trees, the removal of illegally planted Oil Palms, and the preventation of further clearing of the rainforest.

Non-profit organisation Rainforest Rescue is currently competing in the GlobalGiving Winter Challenge for 2011.

GlobalGiving provides an online platform that enables charities and grassroots organisations from around the world to connect with people who are looking to make a real impact with their donation.

Since commencing in 2002, 237,775 donors have donated a total of $54,824,175 to 5,024 projects, demonstrating the powerful reach that GlobalGiving has amassed.

“In order to spread our mission of Protecting Rainforests Forever, and to reach out to potential donors around the world, Rainforest Rescue is looking to secure a permanent spot on the GlobalGiving website. To do this we need to raise a minimum of $4000 from 50 unique donors by the 31st December 2011, “says Rainforest Rescue CEO Kelvin Davies.

“In gaining a permanent spot on the GlobalGiving website Rainforest Rescue will be able to reach to more people who are interested in protecting rainforests around the world and the plant and animals that call the rainforest home’, said Mr Davies.

Established in 1998, Rainforest Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation that has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally by providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to Protect Rainforests Forever. Our projects re-establish rainforests through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest and preserving its biodiversity.

Our conservation achievements include the purchase and protection of 15 properties in the Daintree Rainforest Lowlands as well as the planting of 148,000 trees in the Daintree and the Big Scrub Rainforest of northern New South Wales.

Through protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia we are also working to save the Endangered Southern Cassowary.

The Southern Cassowary is a ‘keystone’ species crucial for rainforest ecology as it is a major seed disperser for up to 150 rainforest plant species. Around 70 to 100 plant species depend entirely on the Cassowary to disperse their seeds in order for them to grow.

Continued rural residential development impacting on rainforest habitat has seen numbers reduced to as few as 1,000 in the wild. With Australia’s tropical rainforests the oldest on Earth, the loss of the Cassowary will result in the loss of significant biodiversity, impacting on a global scale.

Donations in support of our work to save the Endangered Southern Cassowary and to protect and restore critical rainforest habitat can be made via Global Giving.

“Not only will your donation help to Protect Rainforests Forever, it will help us to take advantage of a long-term fundraising opportunity through the GlobalGiving network,” says Mr Davies.

“With the challenge ending on December 31 we need as many people as possible to donate to our project. Earning a permanent spot on the GlobalGiving website will extend our reach globally which can only help us achieve greater conservation outcomes in the long-term”, Mr Davies said.

For further information please contact Rainforest Rescue on (02) 6684 4360 or email info@rainforestrescue.org.au

5^th December is International Volunteers Day. Rainforest Rescue thanks all volunteers who volunteer their time for rainforest conservation whether that includes tree planting in the back yard, in your local community or with Rainforest Rescue. A special thanks goes to our team based in the Daintree who volunteer at our Daintree Plant Nursery every Wednesday. The team help our Plant a Rainforest Project by collecting local provenance seed from our rainforest blocks and raising seedlings in the Nursery. Over 150 different species are propagated at the nursery, providing a bio-diverse resource for planting at the Cassowary Conservation Reserve.

A big thank you to all volunteers for your commitment to helping us restore and protect rainforest and biodiversity forever!

Friday, 2 December 2011 (Source: Echonet Daily.)

Lowland rainforest of subtropical Australia has been listed as a critically endangered ecological community. The majority of the remaining ‘big scrub’, as it is affectionately known, exists in the Byron/Ballina/Lismore region.

The new listing is the result of more than two years of effort by the Big Scrub Landcare group.

President of the group Dr Tony Parkes said, ‘This is a great achievement for a community organisation and a great outcome for the environment – we must protect these remaining patches of our magnificent lowland rainforest and its incredibly rich biodiversity’.

He added, ‘I hope that we can now access funding from the Commonwealth and NSW governments and from the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority so with our partners we can continue and expand our work in rehabilitating and providing ongoing care for the remnants of this critically endangered ecological community that is a regional, national and international treasure’.

Strangler Fig

The listing, under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 came into effect on 25 November. It will add a further level of protection to help prevent any further clearing of the remaining patches of lowland rainforest and it is hoped that critically important organisations like the Big Scrub Landcare group will now be funded for the essential ongoing management of weed infestations and other threats to the survival of this magnificent rainforest.

The listing was made by federal environment minister Tony Burke on the advice of the Commonwealth Threatened Species Scientific Committee after a comprehensive assessment.

A technical workshop with experts on the ecological community was held in Lismore in June last year. The nomination and a technical report, based on the workshop outcomes, were made available for public exhibition and comment. The committee has had regard to all public and expert comment that was relevant to the consideration of the ecological community.

Big Scrub Landcare lodged the nomination for listing in March 2009 and played a critical role in the assessment process. It financed from its own resources two expert reports by consultants that were necessary to supplement information provided by state and federal government agencies. Of critical importance was the report by Carmel Flint on the mapping of the current and pre-1750 area of this rainforest community. This showed that only seven per cent of the pre-1750 area of lowland rainforest remains, well below the threshold of 10 per cent for an endangered ecological community.

Lives only in the Rainforest of Far North Queensland

• Males are much larger than females and can almost 14 kilograms in weight
• Subsists almost solely upon the leaves of rainforest trees and vines
• Is largely solitary and nocturnal
• Is cryptic and rarely seen
• Spends the day hidden in dense vegetation in the rainforest canopy

In order to help the Bennetts Tree Kangaroo survive click here

With $750 million dollars spent on unwanted gifts each year, environmental organisation Rainforest Rescue is urging consumers to consider purchasing more ‘thoughtful’ and ‘sustainable’ gifts this year.

Research conducted by The Australia Institute found that 53% of Australians typically throw away at least one Christmas gift and 21% give at least one Christmas present to someone they do not want to. Interestingly, 4 out of 5 people said they would be happy to forego a gift in lieu of a charity donation, indicating a growing trend away from consumer-based goods.

Rainforest Rescue is providing an alternative to unwanted gifts this Christmas with its range of eco-friendly gift cards that help protect rainforests in Australia and internationally.

“More and more people are reassessing what Christmas is all about. Consumerism and materialism – owning more things – is not adding extra value to our lives. Rainforest Rescue’s range of ethical and sustainable gift cards are a great way to show your friends and family that ‘you care’ while at the same time helping to achieve real conservation outcomes,” says Kelvin Davies, Rainforest Rescue CEO.

This year Rainforest Rescue’s Christmas campaign is centred on the theme ‘give a thought that really counts’.

“Nobody likes the feeling of receiving a gift they don’t need or like. Rainforest Rescue’s range of gift cards offer an easy and affordable way to find the perfect gift for everyone, no matter their interest. Each card represents a gift of Rainforest conservation. From planting a tree to purchasing rainforest in the Daintree, from restoring Orangutan habitat to protecting the Cloud Forests of Ecuador, there is a gift card to suit everyone,” says Erryn Stephens, Fundraising Manager.

“We find that people like to support our work through purchasing a Rainforest Rescue gift card as it allows them to make a donation towards our conservation projects, while at the same time giving a unique, and more thoughtful, Christmas gift to their loved one,” said Ms Stephens.

Rainforest Rescue purchases and protects land in the Daintree rainforest that would otherwise be developed. For $25 you can give a gift of five square metres to save the Daintree Rainforest. “Imagine the feeling that comes from saving the oldest rainforest on Earth,” said Mr Davies.

You can also give a gift of a rainforest tree to be planted in the Byron Shire where Rainforest Rescue has established over 100,000 trees.

Rainforest Rescue’s gift cards can be purchased online at www.rainforestrescue.org.au or by calling 1300 763 611.

For media enquiries please contact:
Erryn Stephens
Fundraising Manager
Email: erryn@rainforestrescue.org.au

The Indonesia – Australia Cultural Exchange & Skill Development Tour was a great success. Staff members from the Orangutan Information Centre (OIC) based in Medan, Sumatra enjoyed the experience of learning about rainforest restoration in Northern NSW and meeting with local community. The two staff members, Ahmad Azhari (Ari) and Lismaidi Darjo Malau (Darjo) herald from the OIC’s Conservation and Restoration Divisions where they manage rainforest restoration and wildlife monitoring in the Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra.

Rainforest Rescue works with the OIC as the main organisation to implement our Orangutan Habitat for Survival Project. Last year, the director from the organisation, Panut Hadisiswoyo and Ari visited Australia for a speaking tour and this year we were more than glad to welcome Ari back along with his colleague, Darjo for a more in-depth skill development tour and cultural exchange.

The two week tour facilitated human resource capacity development for our project partner by providing hands-on skill development and exposure to rainforest restoration techniques in Northern NSW. Ari and Darjo visited local native species nurseries and restoration sites were they learnt about techniques they are keen to adapt to the restoration work in North Sumatra.

Ari and Darjo met with Rainforest Rescue staff, local bush regenerators, business operators and experts in ecology, rainforest regeneration and occupational health and safety. As well as this they engaged in interviews with a local radio station and enjoyed cultural sites and activities. We learnt more from them about the project specifics and have built upon the foundations of our relationship to form a strong connection and commitment to supporting conservation in Indonesia.

Tour highlights

Week 1

• Visit to Minjungbal Aboriginal Museum Tweed Heads
• Kayaking on the Brunswick River
• OH&S Training with Mark Thompson New Train Mullumbimby
• Rainforest Restoration Training at various sites
• Interview on Bay FM – Suara Indonesia program
• Visit to Byron Bay Farmers Market
• Bus tour with Conservation & Land Management TAFE class to various sites

Week 2

• Visit to the Mullumbimby Community Garden
• Bush walking with local ecologist Andy Baker
• Visit to the Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Day, Rocky Creek Dam
• Interview on Echonet Daily.com
• Visit and training at Firewheel Rainforest Nursery
• Visit to a Permaculture Farm for training in organic bush regeneration techniques
• Visit to Rainforest Rescue’s Plant A Rainforest Project at the Crystal Castle
• Monitoring and Evaluation training with Jo Green

Many of the tour activities were provided as donations and we sincerely thank all those who helped provide accommodation, site visits, training and activities. Thank you to those who supported the tour by making a donation. Many thanks to Rainforest Rescue friend Dave Rawlins for taking a leading role in facilitating the tour and mentoring Ari and Darjo. And most of all, thanks to Ari and Darjo for participating and sharing their time, energy and commitment to conservation with us.

Rainforest Rescue looks forward to continuing to facilitate international exchanges and plans to organise volunteer exchanges and visitors from Australia to the project site and hopes to have staff from Indonesia to Australia or other areas of interest. The Orangutan Information Centre’s Conservation & Restoration Division is welcoming any Rainforest Rescue supporters to visit the restoration site of the Orangutan Habitat for Survival Project in the Gunung Leusur National Park, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Interested people can contact Rainforest Rescue by phone on 1300 763 611 or email info@rainforestrescue.org.au.

You can find out more and support this project in Indonesia by supporting our Orangutan Habitat for Survival Project

Madhima Gulgan bush regenerator removing Madira Vine at Juggler’s Foot Organic Farm for Rainforest Rescue

Rainforest Rescue has been engaging the services of an indigenous, professional bush regeneration team, from the Madhima Gulgan Community Association, since October 2008.
They undertake important restoration work within the subtropical rainforest of northern NSW.

Krista Bernard talks with Team Leader, Trevor Jenkins.
KRISTA: Tell us about the Madhima Gulgan Community Association.
TREVOR:We were originally a part of a Community Development and Employment Program (CDEP), which was set up for Aboriginal people. From there, we set up the Madhima Gulgan Community Association and elected to do bush regeneration work as we thought that there was a future in it. We started off
working with National Parks as volunteers. Now we are in our third year doing contract work.

K: Who started the community association, and for what purpose?
T: Athol Compton ran the CDEP and then he helped set up Madhima Gulgan Community Association. We are creating good outcomes for our local community by seeking education and employment opportunities. Six of us are now qualified bush regenerators and two members will complete Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management this year.

Madira Vine hand weeded for Rainforest Rescue

K: What work have you undertaken for Rainforest Rescue?
T: We’ve been involved in a lot of projects. The biggest one so far is the planting along riparian areas on Saltwater Creek in Mullumbimby. Rainforest Rescue also funded our organic bush regeneration work at the Mullumbimby Community Garden. We’ve also done a lot of work in the Big Scrub rainforest remnants at Nashua, Hayters Hill and Eureka – mainly removing weeds to allow the rainforest to return. We’re also working at Juggler’s Foot Organic Farm in Goonengerry and have planted 900 trees so far. Our last job there was to get rid of the weed, Madeira Vine, which once established is extremely persistent and hard to eradicate.

K: What is your vision for the future?
T: Because our work is good for the environment, I can see a lot more of the natural habitat coming back and animals returning. As for the team, no-one is earning a basic wage yet, so I’d like to see us all be able to do that soon. It’s been great to have Rainforest Rescue’s work and we look forward to more work with them in the future.

Hand removing Madira Vine is labour intensive

K: Do you have a favourite project, or project site?
T: Our first big job was at Valances Road in Mullumbimby. The 30 acre site was dominated by camphor laurel, which we slowly cleared out. I liked it because we were there for 18 months, and over that long period of time we could see the big difference we were making. Once the camphor laurel was gone, the rainforest started growing back by itself.

K: What is the best thing about your partnership with Rainforest Rescue?
T: I hadn’t realised how involved the organisation was until we started working together. Kelvin, the CEO, told me about what Rainforest Rescue does in Australia and overseas. It’s great to be associated with an organisation that does so much good work.