Rainforest Rescue purchases

10th Daintree property

No. 11 coming up

Rainforest Rescue announces the purchase of a tenth property through the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project.

This is extremely good news for the critically endangered Southern Cassowary. It prevents another housing development with all its associated dangers – dogs, loss of corridors, traffic and road kills – from destroying the delicately balanced habitat of this “keystone” species of the rainforest. Property No. 10 is essential habitat for this fabulous big bird, whose numbers are far fewer than the already low previous estimates.

The vegetation type is described as wet to very wet vine forest with emergent large-fruited red mahogany, having a rainforest understorey merging into simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest. The biodiversity values of this latter ecosystem type are described as being “very species rich”. Lofty clumps of locally endemic fan palms and black palms grace the northern sector of the property whilst two species of cycad and numerous ferns abound in the denser southern part. These include the King Fern, which, with fronds up to 5 metres long, is reputed to be the largest of all ferns. It is as a primitive plant, very similar types having been around for 300 million years.

The process is now underway to have to have the land protected in perpetuity by an Act of the Queensland Parliament by having the property declared as the Tree Friends Nature Refuge.

In announcing this major step forward, Executive Officer Kelvin Davies was especially proud that it has been achieved without any government funding. “It’s a significant achievement for community conservation, proving that donations from individuals and businesses make a big difference,” said Kelvin.

Equally exciting is the news that Rainforest Rescue is now on the verge of buying an eleventh property. Property No. 11 is located less than a kilometre away and is just as critical for Cassowaries and other rare and endangered species, like the Bennetts Tree-kangaroo. It will provide a vital corridor through the rural subdivision from the Daintree National Park on its northern side to two declared Nature Refuges to the south.

“We only need to raise $85,000 to complete the purchase of this next vital property – such a small amount to preserve forever another slice of the irreplaceable Daintree – and we call upon concerned Australians to contribute to this campaign,” Kelvin adds. “The current owner is committed to conservation and is offering the lot to Rainforest Rescue at less than market value, so we have taken an option to purchase.”

With the end of the financial year looming, Rainforest Rescue is now seeking tax-deductible donations from the community or business sponsorships to protect this two hectares property to establish and protect forever the wildlife corridor that it offers between the Daintree National Park and the Perna Greene Nature Refuge.

Here are your options for making your contribution.

Online: Make a tax-deductible donation or purchase a Daintree Gift Card online through our secure server.

Post or Fax: Complete the donation/order form and post or fax it with your credit card details or cheque/money order. Post it to Rainforest Rescue PO Box 40, Mullumbimby Australia 2482 or fax us on 07 3870 8233.

Give as you earn: You can arrange for your employer to direct part of you regular pay to Rainforest Rescue. They can pay this amount directly into the Rainforest Rescue Fund Account. If you need assistance with establishing this process please email us.

9th Property Saved in Daintree - April 2007

Exciting news. We are very pleased and excited to announce the purchase and protection of a 9th property through the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project. Thank you to every one who has helped to achieve this wonderful outcome. With your support another piece of our wonderful World Heritage value rainforest heritage has been saved. Photo Slide Show of Ninth Property

Camelot Close, Cape Tribulation

Located just a few minutes from Cape Tribulation, the property is covered in the wonderful lowland tropical rainforest that has made this location and Australian conservation icon and renowned throughout the world. The 2.12 hectare property, in Camelot Close, Cape Tribulation lies within a "rainforest residential precinct" on the local government planning scheme.

This type of zoning meant that the property could have been developed for housing at any time. Now that we've made the purchase the property will be protected in perpetuity.

Cape Tribulation Coast

The new property lies just at the start of the slope leading up into the hills overlooking some outstanding coastal scenery with Tribulation Creek tumbling eastwards over a rocky bed towards the nearby sea.

The Regional Ecosystem mapping service provided on line by the Queensland Government's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), shows the majority of the block to be listed as "Of concern" ecosystem category 7.11.23 being described as "Complex mesophyll vine forest on fertile, well drained metamorphics of very wet and wet footslopes".

There is also an "Endangered" ecosystem 7.3.17 on the nearby lowlands and the general area is classified as essential habitat for the endangered Cassowary.

Fan Palms

A baseline vegetation survey was conducted prior to our confirming our offer to purchase the property. While its expected that many more species will be found on the property the initial survey of plants includes 14 species of ferns and allies, 7 palms (incl. three climbing palms), 23 shrubs and climbers, two cycads including an impressive specimen of Hope's Cycad standing 6 m in height, and 37 species of trees.

The canopy is closed over the majority of the block and many trees have large buttresses. Given the very significant height of the trees, there are probably a good number of species still to identify from flowers and fruit high up in the canopy. The largest tree found so far is an ancient strangler fig measuring over 11 metres circumference at chest height.

Tribulation Creek runs through the property

Alexandra palms dominate the canopy, particularly near the Cape Tribulation Creek that runs through the property. The forest has many large buttressed trees and some significant lianes (large woody vines).

A very large Entada phaeseoloides (Matchbox Bean Vine) and several Tetracera nordtiana var nordtiana (Small-leafed Fire Vine) were present. The under canopy was dominated by Myristica insipida (Native Nutmeg).

An active Orange-footed Scrubfowl mound is located in the middle of the block and evidence of Striped Possum foraging on at least two dead trees has been noted.

Orange Footed Scrub Fowl incubation mound

We are soon to commence liaising with the EPA to have the property declared a Nature Refuge and so ensure it is protected forever by an Act of the Queensland Parliament.

Help Save the Daintree from Destruction

Here are your options for making your contribution.

Online: Make a tax-deductible donation or purchase a Daintree Gift Card online through our secure server.

Post or Fax: Complete the donation/order form and post or fax it with your credit card details or cheque/money order. Post it to Rainforest Rescue PO Box 1511 Toowong, Queensland Australia 4066 or fax us on 07 3870 8233.

Give as you earn - You can arrange for your employer to direct part of you regular pay to Rainforest Rescue. They can pay this amount directly into the Rainforest Rescue Fund Account. If you need assistance with establishing this process please email us.

Cycad-Bowenia-spectablis	Hope's Cycad leaf