DAINTREE LOWLAND RAINFOREST
2,000 TREES FOR THE ENDANGERED CASSOWARY
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Location: Daintree Lowland Rainforest, Queensland, Australia
Action: Revegetation at of Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road at Diwan
Threatened Species: Southern Cassowary
Habitat: Lowland Tropical Rainforest
Total Cost of Project: $20,000
Fundraising update on the 31st of January 2022
Financial need: $20,000
Amount raised: $125
Remaining target: $19,875
Introduction
With your help, we will restore areas of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest where clearing has occurred in the past. This will create a buffer for the Daintree National Park and increase habitat for wildlife including the endangered Southern Cassowary.
The cost of growing, planting, and maintenance for one tree is $10, so to establish 2,000 trees we need to raise $20,000.
Every $10 will establish one tree for the Endangered Southern Cassowary.
The problem
The number one threat to the endangered Southern Cassowary is the loss of its rainforest habitat. Past clearing has destroyed rainforest habitat and now the Southern Cassowary is a Threatened species.
In 1982 the Queensland government approved a 1,136-lot rural residential subdivision in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest in Far North Queensland. The development that followed resulted in the construction of over 50 km of roads. This created Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road. While the rainforest on this property was partially cleared it has regenerated naturally apart from areas where weeds have been dominant. This is where we need to plant trees.
HalfCut's Jess and Jimmy planting in the Daintree Rainforest
The Solution
We will establish 2,000 rainforest trees to restore rainforest to Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road as habitat for the Endangered Southern Cassowary.
We will:
- Remove the weeds from Lot 93 Cape Tribulation Road by December 2021
- Plant 2,000 rainforest trees in April 2022
- Then, for the next three years will care for the trees to ensure they all survive. This will involve eliminating competition by removing weeds that germinate on the site.
Planting trees to restore the Daintree Rainforest is of direct benefit to the Cassowary. Cassowaries are frugivores and the fruits of tropical rainforest plants represent 98% of their diet (they also eat invertebrates and fungi).
Every $10 will establish one tree for the endangered Cassowary.
Tree planting in the Daintree Rainforest will fill in the gaps
What type of trees are chosen?
The species of trees are chosen specifically for the tree planting site. Tree species selection is determined by an ecologist and botanist who chooses the appropriate native trees based on the forest type in the area, availability of sunlight, existing plant competition, presence of animals and insects. A mixed selection of native rainforest trees will be planted including may that produce fruits for the Southern Cassowary.
Every $10 will establish one tree for the endangered Cassowary.
Have we done this before?
Yes, we have been actively involved in the revegetation of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest and have completed many successful projects.
Grass and other weeds will make way for the planting for trees
Are Indigenous and local communities involved?
Yes. The Jabalbina Rangers will help to prepare the site and maintain the trees. We will invite local people to join us as volunteers in planting the trees.
We will achieve the outcomes of this project through our partnership with the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation. They represent the Traditional Owners of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest, the Kuku Yalanji people.
Every $10 will establish one tree for the endangered Cassowary.
Successful revegetation in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest
Thank you HalfCut
The nonprofit project partner HalfCut is joining us in restoring the Daintree Lowland Rainforest through the Rewild Challenge. Thanks to Jimmy and Jess and all the HalfCut supporters for their help.
