The Daintree rainforest property at Lot 70 Forest Creek Road has it all. Seasonal ponded wetlands, threatened plant species and essential habitat for the endangered southern cassowary.
It's also zoned for development by the Douglas Shire Council, which is why we're working hard to purchase and protect this block for conservation.
We want to ensure development and further fragmentation and degradation of the world's oldest rainforest will not occur.
Will you help save this incredible patch of the Daintree?
Old growth tropical rainforest on Lot 70 Forest Creek Road.
A safehaven for threatened and endemic species
We visited Lot 70 with ecologist Kristopher Kupsch in April, to undertake a vegetation survey on the 2.07 hectares at Forest Creek.
During the survey, a total of 169 native species were identified.
Significantly, 3 plant species found on Lot 70 are listed as threatened.
Ecologist Kristopher Kupsch identified 169 species of native plants.
- Noah's walnut (Endiandra microneura), which is listed as near-threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Found only between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, it is distinctive in the forest due to its vibrant displays of red new leaves, and it produces large yellow oblong-shaped fruits that are dispersed by the southern cassowary.
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Climbing pandanus (Freycinetia percostata) was identified on the property within paperbark-dominated forest. The southern limit of these species is at the Daintree River, so this occurrence is at its geographical extreme. It is listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
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The China camp laurel (Beilschmiedia castrisinensis) was identified on Lot 70 and it is listed as near-threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Noah's Walnut (Endiandra microneura) is listed as a threatened species.
Other significant endemic plants occurring on Lot 70 include a handful of Daintree foambark saplings (Jagera madida), the Cooper Creek Haplostichanthus (Polyalthia xanthocarpa) and the Daintree satinash (Syzygium monospermum).
Broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) occur on the property.
Unfortunately, Lot 70 also has a number of exotic plants. The majority of these exotic species are associated with the housing footprint. The successful purchase of this property will result in the removal of weeds on the property, ensuring this ecosystem can continue to flourish unhindered.
Please, act now and donate to help purchase Lot 70 Forest Creek Road in the Daintree Rainforest.
Lot 70 Forest Creek Road, Forest Creek.
A multi-layered ecosystem
Cassowaries are most often found in rainforest, but also use melaleuca swamps, mangroves to find food and as connecting habitat.
The presence of a second remnant ecosystem in the far north-west of the property was also identified, with the vegetation in this area known to harbour many restricted and uncommon plant species.
As well as protecting the rainforest and wetlands on Lot 70, the purchase of the property will ensure connectivity across the landscape. Increased urbanisation at Forest Creek will further disrupt natural processes by fragmenting habitat and creating an edge effect. We're trying to prevent this and ensure the core-to-edge ratio of rainforest patches is balanced, something that's integral in maintaining ecologically sound, functioning forests.
The majority of Lot 70 is mapped as Aquatic Conservation Significant (riverine wetlands).
Wetland wonderland
Situated on the lower side of Forest Creek Road, the property is relatively close to the Daintree river delta. The property is very wet with ponded and flowing water in parts.
For this reason, the majority of Lot 70 is mapped as being Aquatic Conservation Significant (riverine wetlands). The northern bank of the Daintree River contains good biodiversity and good fish habitat, including an isolated population of McCullough’s rainbow fish (Melanotaenia maccullochi) which is morphologically distinctive. The location is also home to endangered species of frogs and may provide habitat for many other rare and threatened species.
Find out more about the Forest Creek wetlands.
Urgent response needed
It's my hope that with your help, this property can be protected forever by the end of the financial year. That's just over 3 weeks away!
If we don't buy at-risk Daintree properties like Lot 70 for conservation, they can be sold to people who intend to develop the land for housing.
The biodiversity of Lot 70 Forest Creek Road is too valuable to risk it being degraded or developed.
To purchase and protect this property, the fundraising goal is $249,750. This will also cover the restoration of part of the property that was damaged by unapproved development by a previous owner. A contract of sale has been exchanged and a deposit paid, and our amazing supporters have already raised $44,075, leaving $205,675 left to raise.
Please, act now to help secure the future of the Daintree through the purchase and protection of Lot 70 Forest Creek Road.
Thank you for all you do to save our rainforests.
For the future,
Kelvin Davies
Founder of the Save the Daintree program and Gondwana Rainforest Trust.
P.S. If you have any questions about this project to purchase and protect Lot 70 Forest Creek Road, you can check out our FAQs here, email me at [email protected] or call me on 0437 423 119.
An affordable gift every month is the very best way to support the work of the Gondwana Rainforest Trust and help Save the Daintree. Make your monthly pledge today.
Gondwana Rainforest Trust
https://www.gondwanarainforesttrust.org/