Little Locals have helped to save a special property in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest for future generations to enjoy. 

Lot 11 Buchanan Creek Road in the Daintree Rainforest

Little Locals is a family-owned and operated group of early learning centres in Queensland. Proud advocates for living sustainably and for wildlife conservation, the company partnered with Rainforest 4 Foundation in 2021 to raise funds to purchase and protect Lot 11 Buchanan Creek Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.

Tim Searles is one of the owners of Little Locals.

“Our partnership with Rainforest 4 Foundation is just another step on our journey as an early learning group that embraces a deep respect for the environment in our teaching and care, practices and values,” Tim said.

“With this initiative, we are teaching the Little Locals’ children about the world, and why we must care for it.”

“The children have enjoyed learning about the wonderful plants and animals of the Daintree Rainforest. We want to ensure a bright future for our own little locals, and for generations to come.” 

Tim Searles and his family in the Daintree Rainforest

The fundraising efforts of many individuals and communities around Australia, including Little Locals’ resulted in Lot 11 Buchanan Creek Road being purchased and protected forever. Hundreds of donors contributed to this outcome, which is supported by our Stronger Together partners, HalfCut and Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation.

Lot 11 shares a boundary with the Daintree National Park and has many of the natural values that supported the national park being declared a World Heritage Area in 1988. 

Our survey of Lot 11 Buchanan Creek Road identified 185 species of native plants including three Threatened species listed on the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. They are the China Camp Laurel (Beilschmiedia castrisinensis), Gray’s Walnut (Endiandra grayi), and Noah’s Walnut (Endiandra microneura).

Kelvin Davies in the rainforest on Lot 11

Lot 11 has also been mapped as essential Cassowary habitat by the Queensland Government and many species of native Laurels which provide fruits for Cassowaries can be found on the block.

Kelvin Davies, Founder of Rainforest 4 Foundation said the fundraising efforts of Little Locals were greatly appreciated.

“We cannot do this work without the contributions of everyday people and ethical businesses like Little Locals have an important role to play. Not only are they raising funds, but they’re also raising the next generation of decision-makers who will value the natural environment and the special plants and animals we must protect to ensure a safe future for us all.”

Southern Cassowary crossing Buchanan Creek Road

“Thank you to everyone who donated to help Little Locals raise funds to help purchase this special Daintree property.”

“Lot 11 Buchannan Creek Road is one of 22 blocks we’ve purchased and protected with the support of people like Little Locals over the past 2.5 years. We cannot thank Little Locals enough for their efforts in fundraising to Save the Daintree.”

STRONGER TOGETHER

The project to purchase and protect land in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest is a partnership involving the Rainforest 4 Foundation, Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, and fellow non-profit HalfCut.