We have a chance to add almost 12 hectares of intact, high-conservation value Daintree Rainforest habitat to our growing portfolio of protection.

There is nothing as sublime nor as beautiful as Nature.

From the perfect form of a fern leaf and the languid yet purposeful journey of the liana vine, to the sound of pure water as it flows over rocks—the natural world of Far North Queensland has existed for a very, very long time and is now the oldest rainforest on the planet.

And yet, all it takes is one impulsive decision—one moment of short-sighted development—to catastrophically change this place forever.

Lot 8 Idriess Close, Degarra is an almost pristine tract of rainforest that must be seen to be believed.

At a little under 12 hectares, this property is ideal habitat for rare and threatened species such as the Spectacled Flying Fox, Spotted-Tail Quoll, Bare-Rumped Sheathtail Bat and the iconic Southern Cassowary.

Now the owner would like to ensure that it will be protected from development forever, and has offered it to Rainforest Rescue at a generous price.

This is also the farthest north we’ve ever ventured. The site is adjacent to the Daintree National Park and the Bloomfield River in an area called Degarra. Renowned for its remoteness and saltwater crocodiles, it’s here that this beautiful, natural property has been held in its natural state for many years.

When we consider the Daintree’s age—the many millions of years—we must realise both the enormity of those timescales and the unparalleled ecological richness that has resulted. But this rich ecosystem is also incredibly fragile and vulnerable to the impacts that humans make.

We know we have said this before, and we’ll say it again—the Daintree is a stunning example of evolution on so many levels. From the amazing rainforest gardener that is the Southern Cassowary to the Daintree Rainbow Fish—from the Daintree River to Cape Tribulation, the Daintree is a masterpiece of evolution and Nature’s intelligence.

That is one of the reasons it’s so important to protect it: there are lifeforms and ecosystems here that exist nowhere else on earth.

When we visited the rainforest at Lot 8, we were captivated by its richness—huge native mahogany trees soared above us, with crowns of bird’s nest ferns and snaking lianas wrapped around the thick lower trunks. Beneath our feet the forest floor was alive with fungi, invertebrates and scurrying reptiles. The current custodian is keen to keep it this way. As are we.

Lot 8’s terrain is tricky to navigate, quickly rising up into the higher areas within the National Park boundary. Seasonal creek beds indicate that adverse weather will move through here at speed–cleared top soil easily could end up in the Bloomfield River. This is a fragile area, sandwiched between the edge of the National Park and a developed site where the rainforest has been cleared. In fact, the clearing resulted in a landslip on both properties, hence why Lot 8 is ‘almost’ pristine rainforest. If we are successful in protecting this property we will restore the damaged areas back into natural habitat.

You know that Nature needs all the help it can get right now—and thanks to your support, we’re set to protect an additional stretch of intact Daintree rainforest, covering just under 12 hectares.