our AIMS
Our aim is simple - to replace weed-filled areas with native rainforest trees in the Daintree region of tropical far north Queensland, Australia. On this page, we set out some background to the area, explain the concept and scope of the project, list our aims, and cover how (with your help) we can achieve this to produce a valuable and enhanced outcome for this unique World Heritage listed area.
“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.”
- Chinese Proverb
the DAINTREE
The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest on earth, and Australia's most diverse ecosystem; home to nearly 3000 species of vascular plant, 16 of the original 28 flowering plant lineages on the planet, and a huge array of wildlife, of which many species are endemic and unique - meaning they occur nowhere else on earth. Animals such as the iconic Southern Cassowary and Tree Kangaroos are well known, but the region is also home to lesser-known characters such as the primitive Musky rat-kangaroo, Boyd’s Forest Dragon and the 500 million-year-old living fossil, Peripatus (the Velvet Worm). The Daintree has been likened to a ‘living ark’. Visit our gallery here
POSITIVE outcomes
This is a typical example of an identified planting area. It is part of a T-shaped unused service road off Cape Tribulation Road, bounded on two sides by the Daintree National Park. Council staff regularly maintain this area via mowing, which is a waste of local resource. Initial surveying reveals that revegetation of this service road will add 2725m2 to the National Park, providing a valuable expanded resource to the local wildlife.
This unused old service road requires 2270 trees to be planted.
a POSITIVE outcome
This example is also an unused old service road off Cape Tribulation Road. Douglas Shire Council closed this road and planted it just 4-5 years ago. The tropical climate and high rainfall is highly conducive to fast growth, early canopy formation, weed suppression and highly visible results. The old road has almost vanished, and the rapidly growing forest now provides valuable food resource for the local wildlife.
This is just 4-5 years growth.
project SCOPE
Working in conjunction with Douglas Shire Council (DSC), we are currently in the process of mapping, and have already identified multiple areas such as unused service roads and key areas of roadside reserve which are currently blanketed in exotic weeds. We will also be actively seeking working partnerships with private landholders in the area who wish to expand rainforest areas on their own properties. All such areas can be reforested with suitable indigenous rainforest species, with a projected minimum planting of 500,000 trees by 2030, with clearly defined aims in the box to the right:
1.
Expansion of the Daintree National Park footprint by approx. 60 hectares (148 acres).
2.
Increased habitat and food resource for local wildlife.
3.
Enhanced visitor experience via ‘beautification’ of unsightly non-native weedy areas.
4.
Improved environmental outcomes via reduction of fuel and herbicide currently being used in weed control.
5.
Reduced roadside reserve maintenance costs to Douglas Shire Council.
6.
Community involvement and pride via community and school plantings.
7.
Traditional owner consultation, involvement and outcomes.
8.
Local volunteer involvement and increased paid local employment.
YOU can help
Donate for trees.
Every $12.50 will grow, plant and maintain a rainforest tree - adding valuable forest to this unique World Heritage Area. Various donation options are available here or click the donate button below.
We at Daintree Life thank you in advance.