Page 95 - Port Douglas Magazine 40

Nursery handover to Jabalbina

REGENERATIVE TOURISM program’s distinctive design enables us to integrate regardless of their location. The big kick-off for this
different financial mechanisms, making the celebration is set to be their largest-ever annual tree
In an exciting new chapter of collaboration,
Rainforest Rescue has forged partnerships with restoration financially viable.” planting event in May 18. Mark your calendars!
local and international tourism operators, diving Branden goes beyond highlighting Rainforest
into the surging trend of regenerative tourism, “Our goal from the outset Rescue’s achievements, insisting that the celebration
with the Douglas Shire perfectly placed to provide extends to everyone who has played a role in their
tourists with opportunities to give back to the has been to demonstrate that cause over the past 25 years.” It’s a collective effort,
places they visit, experience and love. restoration is a viable and a shared journey. We could not have reached 25
According to Branden, expanding the nursery increasingly financially rewarding years without the incredible support of those who
believe in what Rainforest Rescue does. Really,
is not just about meeting this demand but also this celebration is about a community of amazing
about bolstering the emerging restoration industry, endeavour” people who care about the natural world. We often
both locally and globally. He envisions the region
becoming a hub for regenerative tourism and refer to our supporters as rescuers and restorers –
a barometer for sustainable habitat restoration, Mark finds it intriguing to envision a regional they are as much a part of the hands-in-the-earth
shift away from monoculture toward a diverse
work as the team in the Daintree. This is about
highlighting its potential for positive ecological landscape, one featuring dozens, if not hundreds, what we can all achieve together – where the sum
transformation. of plant species. is greater than the whole of its parts. Rainforest
“Our goal from the outset has been to demonstrate “This idea lies at the core of our efforts at the Rescue is you.”
that restoration is a viable and increasingly
financially rewarding endeavour,” he explains. nurseries, where we cultivate over 200 different plant And what of the next 25 years?
“Recognising that trees are essential for restoration, species, emphasising a highly biodiverse restoration Both Mark and Branden are optimistic, if
process with a focus on positive improvements to
we aim to support the growing restoration economy the soil and ecology. Such an approach not only appropriately concerned. “You could argue that
with high quality seedlings and offering a transition benefits the flora and fauna but also contributes this anniversary arrives at a real crossroads for
opportunity for landowners. people and the planet,” Branden says. “We have
to the water quality flowing into the nearby coral more extreme weather events happening and
“We’re in the process of applying for a program reef. The interconnected relationship between the
aimed at promoting carbon farming and associated reef and the rainforest means that what happens to a biodiversity crisis making the headlines. But
co-benefits in Queensland. Carbon farming one impacts the other, so there is a need to support evidence suggests that activities like tree planting
and habitat restoration will contribute to a long-
involves employing agricultural practices that conservation of them both.” term solution. So, Rainforest Rescue is a way
enhance the absorption and storage of carbon
dioxide (CO2) in the soil. These co-benefits 25 YEARS OF SHARED for everyone to take direct action. Providing this
reflect the various advantages that natural systems opportunity enables people to do their bit. I mean,
provide to us all, such as oxygen and clean water. If COMMITMENT from little things big things grow, right?”
approved, our focus will be on collaboration with Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Rainforest To get involved with Rainforest Rescue in their
the community, engaging with traditional owners, Rescue plans a year-long celebration with special 25th year, visit rainforestrescue.org.au or find
restoring threatened habitats, and improving water activities and a ‘birthday wish list’ offering them on Instagram @rainforestrescueau
quality flowing into the Great Barrier Reef. The 25 different ways for people to get involved,