Why Should Businesses and Foundations from Across the Seas Care About the Daintree Rainforest?
Highlighting the global significance of the world’s most ancient rainforest
By Dan Miller, Rainforest Rescue Intern
Wundu (Thornton Peak), © Martin Stringer
The Daintree Rainforest, estimated to be around 180 million years old, is the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth—outdating the Amazon by tens of millions of years. This ancient ecosystem has nurtured an extraordinary diversity of life over millennia. The Daintree Rainforest’s global significance is underscored by its unparalleled biodiversity and cultural heritage. Despite covering just 0.2% of Australia’s landmass, it is home to approximately 30% of the nation’s frog, reptile, and marsupial species, 90% of its bat and butterfly species, and about 18% of its bird species. It also safeguards Indigenous cultural landmarks, including Wundu (Thornton Peak) and Manjal Dimbi (Mount Demi), which hold deep significance for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, the Traditional Owners of this land.
As an exchange student from the UK studying environmental science, I was captivated by Australia’s unique landscapes and wildlife. This fascination led me to intern with Rainforest Rescue, an organisation that shares my belief in the power of private initiatives to drive meaningful environmental change. Rainforest Rescue’s mission to protect and restore unprotected native rainforest, particularly within the Daintree region, is supported by various businesses and foundations. Their model demonstrates how economically sustainable conservation can be achieved without sole reliance on government backing, inspiring similar efforts worldwide.
Monitoring rainforest growth: Dan records tree trunk measurements, GPS locations, and tags trees to track carbon storage over time.
But why should businesses and foundations across the globe care about the Daintree, even if they are halfway around the world? The answer lies in the rainforest’s unparalleled biodiversity, its role in global climate regulation, and its cultural significance. Protecting the Daintree is not just an environmental imperative; it’s an opportunity for global entities to contribute to a cause that transcends borders.
One of our significant partners, The Travel Corporation (TTC), and its TreadRight Foundation, based in the UK and North America, strongly support Rainforest Rescue’s efforts in both the preservation of threatened Daintree rainforest and the restoration of damaged wildlife habitat. We spoke to Shannon Guihan, TTC’s Chief Sustainability Officer & Head of TreadRight, to ask her what drew them to our work from afar:
“We’re a global travel business operating in all parts of the globe. More than that, however, is the fact that critical wildlife areas know no border, and so nor do we when searching for strong, impactful projects in support of nature and biodiversity. Several of our travel brands, Contiki, AAT Kings, and Adventure World, have passionate teams based in Australia with long histories of doing business there, and so it all came together to be a wonderful fit.”
‘Sustainability champions’ from across TTC’s various brands at the 2024 Annual Community Tree Planting
In addition to TTC, Rainforest Rescue is honored to have the following international businesses, foundations, and fellow nonprofits as recent funding partners:
- American Maple Syrup Company (formerly Sap N Tap)
- Chimpzee
- One Tree Planet
- One Earth
- Sedgwick County Zoo
- WaterChef
Their support underscores the global recognition of the Daintree’s significance and the shared responsibility to protect it.
Join Us in Protecting the Daintree
The Daintree Rainforest is not just Australia’s treasure; it’s a global legacy. Its preservation requires collective action from individuals, businesses, and foundations worldwide. By supporting Rainforest Rescue, you’re investing in the protection of an irreplaceable ecosystem, the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage, and the fight against climate change.
Together, we can ensure that the Daintree continues to thrive for generations to come.
Discover how your business can contribute to rainforest conservation and restoration efforts. Learn more about partnership opportunities with Rainforest Rescue.
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