THE PROJECT
NightWings Rainforest is a six-year goal project that aims to turn fifteen hectares of old sugarcane land into rainforest.
The action plan involves six stages: planting around 100.000 trees, about 15.000 to 20.000 at a time - with each step performed during the wet season for an ideal kickoff. To date already 50,000 trees have already been planted and many of those from the early stages are already over three metres in height, making this a very successful initiative. These trees and other plants contribute to re-establishing the native vegetation, providing habitat and support to endangered plants and animals. Moreover, the re-established rainforest creates a corridor connecting the lowland rainforest with the mangroves south of the Daintree River, in Far North Queensland of Australia.
Since 2015, when this admirable and ambitious initiative started, NightWings Rainforest founder Annie Shoenberger and her team, have planted over 150 different species of trees which are indigenous to the local area. Most of these trees are significant to the local Yalanji people, all are fast growing and fruiting to attract birds and bats to bring in more seeds, plants and wildlife from the adjoining forests.
A community grant from TERRAIN NRM through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme gave NightWings Rainforest the kick-start needed and a considerable amount of confidence that this dream can come true. The federal governments money funded part of the first three stages of this massive project, creating a corridor of trees connecting the highlands rainforest with the wetlands and mangroves below.
The largest trees are now 5m high, and the wildlife is slowly coming back: Insects, lizards, and birds are returning to this nature wonderland and beginning to repopulate the blooming forest.
The action plan involves six stages: planting around 100.000 trees, about 15.000 to 20.000 at a time - with each step performed during the wet season for an ideal kickoff. To date already 50,000 trees have already been planted and many of those from the early stages are already over three metres in height, making this a very successful initiative. These trees and other plants contribute to re-establishing the native vegetation, providing habitat and support to endangered plants and animals. Moreover, the re-established rainforest creates a corridor connecting the lowland rainforest with the mangroves south of the Daintree River, in Far North Queensland of Australia.
Since 2015, when this admirable and ambitious initiative started, NightWings Rainforest founder Annie Shoenberger and her team, have planted over 150 different species of trees which are indigenous to the local area. Most of these trees are significant to the local Yalanji people, all are fast growing and fruiting to attract birds and bats to bring in more seeds, plants and wildlife from the adjoining forests.
A community grant from TERRAIN NRM through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme gave NightWings Rainforest the kick-start needed and a considerable amount of confidence that this dream can come true. The federal governments money funded part of the first three stages of this massive project, creating a corridor of trees connecting the highlands rainforest with the wetlands and mangroves below.
The largest trees are now 5m high, and the wildlife is slowly coming back: Insects, lizards, and birds are returning to this nature wonderland and beginning to repopulate the blooming forest.
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NightWings Rainforest 2018.
Wonga, Mossman-Daintree Raod, Far North Queensland. Australia
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Undertaking a reforestation project is a considerably complex process. The practice involves not only the action of tree planting, but also other essential activities ranging from land preparation (raking up cane paddock and removing old cane root stocks), digging holes, seeding and growing the trees. And that's not all. Other specific restoration actions include soil amelioration, prevention of disturbance (such as grazing), erosion control and weeds eradication.
A great team of dedicated people among experts and volunteers is involved in all the work and activities mentioned above. Previously all this land had been leased to cane farmers for the growing of cane. Slowly and surely this land is being returned to rainforest. Step by step, these cane paddocks are being removed, the ground is being cultivated to remove the old cane stocks and then marked out and prepared for the planting of rainforest trees.
Rainforest Rescue and Douglas Shire Council Native Nursery are growing many of the seedlings required for this massive venture of NightWings Rainforest. Trees from around a dozen framework species have been selected that are indigenous to the area. These include Castanospermum australe (Black Bean), Archontophoenix alexandrae (Alexandra Palm), Normanbya normanbyi (Black Palm), Terminalia catalpa (Beech Almond), Barringtonia acutangula (a Freshwater Mangrove), and Aleurites rockinghamensis (Candlenut).
The success of NightWings Rainforest project relies on the support of committed people that aims to give to our forest the best chance of a bright future.
It will take all of us, working together to ensure that our rainforest's flora & fauna and these habitats are safeguarded into the future.
A great team of dedicated people among experts and volunteers is involved in all the work and activities mentioned above. Previously all this land had been leased to cane farmers for the growing of cane. Slowly and surely this land is being returned to rainforest. Step by step, these cane paddocks are being removed, the ground is being cultivated to remove the old cane stocks and then marked out and prepared for the planting of rainforest trees.
Rainforest Rescue and Douglas Shire Council Native Nursery are growing many of the seedlings required for this massive venture of NightWings Rainforest. Trees from around a dozen framework species have been selected that are indigenous to the area. These include Castanospermum australe (Black Bean), Archontophoenix alexandrae (Alexandra Palm), Normanbya normanbyi (Black Palm), Terminalia catalpa (Beech Almond), Barringtonia acutangula (a Freshwater Mangrove), and Aleurites rockinghamensis (Candlenut).
The success of NightWings Rainforest project relies on the support of committed people that aims to give to our forest the best chance of a bright future.
It will take all of us, working together to ensure that our rainforest's flora & fauna and these habitats are safeguarded into the future.
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TAKE PART IN THE NIGHTWINGS RAINFOREST PROJECT
We need your help. The NightWings, project aims to plant a total of 70,000 trees over 6 years to restore 15 hectares (37 acres) of old sugar cane land to lowland rainforest. Commencing in December 2015…. to date October 2018, we have planted over 50,000 trees. Our next stage of planting is planned for the upcoming wet season. To achieve this next stage, we need to raise $75,000 to cover land preparation, growth, planting, and maintaining these trees for two years until they are completely established. Just $10 will plant a tree, and each tree equates to one square metre of brand new rainforest. So why not help us to plant a tree, or two, or a whole patch. With your help, we can achieve this amazing goal.
Just $10 will grow, plant, and maintain a tree until it is fully self-maintaining. Help make a difference - donate a tree, or two, or even a whole patch. And remember, each tree will create one square metre of rainforest, forever.
You will also contribute towards a positive impact on our environment, So get involved in NightWings Rainforest Project today. by making a donation or volunteering with us.
Just $10 will grow, plant, and maintain a tree until it is fully self-maintaining. Help make a difference - donate a tree, or two, or even a whole patch. And remember, each tree will create one square metre of rainforest, forever.
You will also contribute towards a positive impact on our environment, So get involved in NightWings Rainforest Project today. by making a donation or volunteering with us.
NightWings Rainforest - PO Box 1395 Mossman QLD 4873 Australia - Ph: +61 7 4098 7502 - email: info@nightwings.com.au