Our ‘Protect a Rainforest’ project rescues pristine rainforest by purchasing blocks for conservation and protecting them forever, increasing essential wildlife habitat and connectivity, and protecting biodiversity for future generations.

The Daintree Lowlands

Rare and endangered species like the Southern Cassowary, the Spectacled Flying-fox, Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo, and many others are found here, amidst ancient and primitive flowering plants. Purchasing rainforest that was excluded from the Upper Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area extends priceless habitat, providing safe haven and nourishment while significantly building on existing Rainforest Rescue protected areas. These rescues are of vital importance and protect critical habitat.

It’s essential that we protect this land for Nature.

Conservation work in the Daintree supports this ancient forest ecosystem that has been evolving longer than any other in the world – by tens of millions of years – and is Australia’s largest and most biodiverse. With the help of Rainforest Rescuers – people like you – we’ve rescued 48 Daintree Rainforest properties, significantly protecting pristine habitat for Nature and achieving a strong win for biodiversity.

We are successful together.

The Latest Rescues

In 2026, Rainforest Rescue completed our biggest land acquisition yet, securing two properties in the Daintree Oxbow. Together with 110 Cape Tribulation Road, we now protect 120.39 hectares across three properties within our 599.63-hectare Oxbow conservation landscape, reconnecting rainforest, wetlands and river systems at the gateway to the Daintree. Read about our biggest land acquisition yet.

110 Cape Tribulation Rd is 30 hectares of former sugarcane land, with around 5 hectares of naturally regenerated habitat and 25 hectares ready for restoration. Purchased in November 2024 with the support of Rainforest Rescuers, restoration began in 2026, with the first trees planted during our Annual Community Tree Planting Day in May.

At the northern end of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is the Bloomfield River. The rainforest here is virtually intact, and thanks to your support we have protected almost 12 hectares of precious habitat. Lot 8 Idriess Close is our most northerly protected property and provides an important buffer extending protected habitat into the lowlands.

Looking for a full list of properties rescued since 1999? Check out our Protection Portfolio.

Purchase and Protect Forever

The dense, intact rainforest of the unprotected Lowland Daintree conjures up images of an ancient world. Thick leaf litter, rich and humid air carrying the scent of flowers and mulch, the sounds of Wompoo pigeons calling to their mates and parrots screeching captivate the senses. Massive trees, twisting vines, a diversity of fungus, insects, and beautiful butterflies – massive, vivid blue Ulysses butterflies – and more, inspire us to protect this haven for Nature. Southern cassowary droppings are a regular indication of their foraging journeys through this habitat, one shared with many other endangered and threatened species, like the Musky Rat-Kangaroo.

The real heroes behind these stories of successful conservation outcomes are our supporters – you and others like you who know that this strategy works. Your contributions directly rescue and protect Nature in Australia’s largest, most biodiverse rainforest. Your generous gift makes a real and important difference that benefits rainforest habitats, water catchments, and wildlife.

Our Protection Portfolio currently includes 48 Daintree Rainforest properties that increase habitat and protect biodiversity for future generations. We will keep purchasing rainforest, block by block, and protect it forever, but only with your help.

Rainforest Rescue’s ten-point ‘balanced scorecard’ assessment

1. Does it have connectivity to other protected land?
2. Can invasive weeds be controlled?
3. How much regenerated or revegetated is required?
4. Does it have a building DA?
5. Is the terrain suitable for development?
6. Is it outside a gazetted conservation precinct?
7. Is it classified as essential habitat for the endangered Southern Cassowary?
8. Have threatened species been identified on it?
9. How much clearing and rubbish removal will be required?
10. Value for money in the current property market?

© Tamara Fogarty