Rescuing rainforest forever

Rainforest Rescue volunteer Allen Sheather.

Rainforest Rescue has purchased its 14th property in the Daintree, forever protecting another piece of World Heritage value rainforest that is also critical cassowary habitat.

The Mullumbimby-based organisation purchased Lot 10 Milky Pine Road in May 2010 and has now purchased the adjacent property at Lot 7.

“The purchase not only saves this precious rainforest, it also does away with one further development in the Daintree,” CEO Kelvin Davies said. “Settlement brings with it a host of threats – clearing and fragmentation of the rainforest, introduction of domestic dogs that harass and kill wildlife, increased traffic and road kills, and the introduction of weed species – all of which contribute to the degradation of the Daintree’s rainforest ecosystems.”

The high conservation value of Lot 7 Milky Pine Road was confirmed by an extensive list of plants recorded in a survey of the property by Rainforest Rescue volunteers Allen Sheather and Barbara Maslen.

“I recorded over 100 plant species on Lot 7 Milky Pine Road, including several rare plants,” Allan said. “The fruit of several species known to be cassowary food plants were also found growing on the property. They include Endiandra sankeyana and Antirhea tenuiflora. I was also happy to find a lot of black palms growing there, as they are significant food plants for the cassowary during the food-scarce wet season.”

In addition, volunteers came across three reasonably fresh cassowary droppings and several older droppings with germinating seeds during the survey.

“The Daintree is too precious to lose to creeping development. There are approximately 180 properties which still remain at risk within the Daintree Lowlands rainforest,” Mr Davies said, saying Rainforest Rescue is committed to purchasing back every property it can through the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project.

The project is fully funded by the community and Rainforest Rescue is now seeking donations to purchase its 15th property. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.rainforestrescue.org.au or phone 1300 763 611.