Philip Island is more than 3000km south of the Daintree, but a controversial buyback scheme has set the bar high in terms of winding back development for conservation outcomes. 

The international wildlife trade is lucrative, often being driven by organised crime cells. As well as exploiting animals, the trade exploits some of the world’s poorest people.

Every day around the globe, animals are being ripped from their habitat and transported large distances in cramped cages, often across the world. They’re stressed, starved and in crowded, close quarters, being overseen by unqualified and uncaring people, who are making billions of dollars off the trade.

Green jobs will help us rebuild communities and economies and the good news is we can start right now. As we begin to repair the economy it’s crucial that we invest in programs that help move society forward in a sustainable way. It’s time that we shifted from an economy based on unsustainable consumption and burning fossil fuels to one that actively mitigates climate change.

The Daintree Lowland Rainforest is the oldest rainforests on Earth and contains exceptionally high biodiversity. This was confirmed once again by ecologist Kristopher Kupsch as he surveyed Lot 330 Cape Tribulation Road to ensure it was a priority for purchase and inclusion in the Daintree National Park. 

Volunteers are helping grow 100,000 rainforest trees by propagating seed and growing them on until they are ready for planting. This is helping to keep costs down and ensure more trees get in the ground. 

Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School is planting another 2,000 rainforest trees with help from Reforest Now and the Rainforest 4 Foundation.

The planting of 10,000 trees at Cromwell Farms at Goonengerry in Northern NSW has begun. This is part of the Bushfires, Rainforest and Recover program of Rainforest 4 Foundation and Reforest Now that aims to plant 100,000 trees to restore the subtropical rainforest in Northern New South Wales.

A new partnership between Rainforest Reserves Australia and the Rainforest 4 Foundation will create new rainforest protected areas in Queensland.

Rainforest 4 Foundation and the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation are working together to ensure land purchased for conservation is protected in the Daintree National Park and will be managed by the Traditional Owners.