NightWings is located within the globally significant Daintree lowland rainforest, a region that has experienced extensive degradation due to land clearing for agriculture and development. The restoration project is focused on bringing back native tree species and rebuilding the ecosystem to support the unique and endemic wildlife that depends on this fragile habitat.
For many decades, the globally significant yet unprotected Daintree lowland rainforest of Australia has suffered significant degradation through land clearing for development and agriculture.
With 90-120 local tree species being planted, this lays a biodiverse framework to attract local wildlife and provide a stable source of both habitat and food for the many unique and endemic species of the Daintree. Many species of birds and mammals have been spotted at both regeneration sites, already playing their role as seed dispersers and bringing in further genetic variation and biodiversity from different parts of the rainforest.
The soil microbiome is the basis of life on Earth. Many large-scale agricultural practices, such as sugar cane farming, have degraded the soil microbiome to such an extent that there is very little life present in the soil at all. To evaluate the effects of rainforest regeneration on formerly agricultural soil, planning is currently underway to initiate a soil monitoring program in collaboration with James Cook University, to evaluate any increase in soil biodiversity at our regeneration sites over a minimum two year period.
The health of the Daintree is linked with the health of another World Heritage listed site, the Great Barrier Reef. Due to a large amount of land clearing for agricultural purposes, sediment and chemical run-off will wash out directly onto the reef. The rainforest acts as a kind of ‘filter’, providing clean water run-off onto the richly biodiverse Great Barrier Reef.
Both properties are situated on Eastern Kuku Yalanji country, and we are proud to have the privilege of knowledgeable Traditional Owners taking an active role in public events hosted by Rainforest Rescue such as community tree planting days.
Many of the plants and trees we use for regeneration have played an essential role in Kuku Yalanji culture for thousands of years, used for medicinal, spiritual, and cultural purposes. The use of plants as bush tucker is deeply rooted in Kuku Yalanji culture, and their continued presence helps to maintain cultural traditions and connections to the land.
