Daintree Discovery Centre is continuing to support the important regeneration and restoration work of Rainforest Rescue in the Daintree Rainforest with this year’s donation totalling $2758.65.
This year marks the 18th year that Australia’s largest remaining rainforest – and the oldest tropical lowland rainforest in the world – has benefitted from the relationship between the rainforest reviver and the education centre.
The annual donation to Rainforest Rescue reflects the importance and growing interest from the visiting public in sustainability, in line with Daintree Discovery Centre’s environmental ethos.
Daintree Discovery Centre manager Abi Ralph said she was delighted the amount of this year’s donation was only slightly less than last year despite the lengthy closure to the public because of Covid-19 health and safety restrictions.
“Centre visitors gave $542.40 via our collection tins and the Centre matched this with a $542.40 donation,” Ms Ralph said.
“The balance of this year’s donation to Rainforest Rescue was made up of $336.50 from recycled bottles and cans, $1322 from a donation of 50 cents per takeaway cup and $15.35 from a donation of five cents per bag of ‘cassowary poo’ sweets bought at the Centre.
“As well as being a delicious confection and a novel memento of a visit to Daintree Discovery Centre, the ‘cassowary poo’ sweets help reinforce the importance of this ancient and amazing bird in helping to grow the rainforest through spreading the seeds of rainforest species in its droppings.”
Ms Ralph said Branden Barber, chief executive of Rainforest Rescue, had described the partnership with the Daintree Discovery Centre as pivotal to spreading the word on the uniqueness and importance of the Daintree as the world’s longest and continuously existing and evolving rainforest.
She said the symbiotic relationship with Rainforest Rescue reflected the importance between education, through the Centre’s immersive rainforest walks and accompanying exhibits and displays, and Rainforest Rescue’s regenerating and caring for the overall growth and wellbeing of the rainforest.
The annual donation from the Daintree Discovery Centre helped Rainforest Rescue with its local nursery, seed collection and plant propagation to produce more trees to grow more rainforest.
Rainforest Rescue raises more than 20,000 plants locally from more than 200 species annually. The group has been protecting and replanting rainforests since 1998.
“We are proud to continue our association with such a committed, effective and valuable organisation and to know that our work here at the Centre in entertaining and educating our visitors is helping to make such a difference through our support and annual donation.”
