Why we focus on the Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree rainforest is of international conservation importance as one of the most significant regional ecosystems in the world.

Many people assume the creation of the Daintree National Park and World Heritage listing in 1988 would protect this unique environment.

Unfortunately, an earlier subdivision approval in the heart of the Daintree lowland rainforest had seriously undermined the integrity of the rainforest and created the greatest threat to it and its biodiversity.

Approximately half of this rainforest has been cleared or selectively logged. The remaining intact rainforest is very limited and contains many of the same high biodiversity and conservation value forests as the bordering World Heritage-listed area.

Rainforest Rescue’s Daintree buyback and Protect forever project purchases and protects high conservation value rainforest at risk of development.

Nature Refuge status is then created which protects the properties forever under covenants ratified by the Queensland parliament.

Our vision is to buy back and protect all remaining high conservation value properties in the Daintree lowland rainforest by 2040.

Imagine losing the Daintree to continuing rural residential development. Imagine losing the cassowary or Bennett’s tree kangaroo.

The greater Daintree is home to:

30% of Australia’s marsupial species

23% of Australia’s reptile species

30% of Australia’s frog species

18% of Australia’s bird species

60% of Australia’s bat species

62% of Australia’s butterfly species