End of year brings change
of pace

The last three months has been busy in finalising
our rehabilitation of the many rainforest blocks in the Daintree.

September saw the last of this year’s tree planting
as the hot weather heralded the onset of the wet season. We had some good rain
in October and November but the 30 degree days made field work uncomfortable
and we even had to water some recent tree plantings to ensure their survival.

The tropical north of Australia is expecting a good wet
season this year, which usually runs from November to March and it is the
weather that actually determines our work schedule in rainforest
rehabilitation.

In the coming months we will be undertaking
essential maintenance of our plant and equipment. The very nature of operating
in a tropical environment means regular and often costly maintenance. This
period is also one for site maintenance such as fence and track repair and also
a time for seed collection and grow out in our nursery.

Donors keep the faith

The 2011 year has been a tough one for many
businesses and individuals and consequently, many charities have found
maintaining donations quite difficult.

We were no exception. However most of our regular
donors have maintained the faith and for this we are extremely grateful.

A number of our supporters have arrived in the
tropical north, some unannounced, to have a look at the rehabilitation sites
and find trees they have purchased.

Thanks to our Conservation Officer, Adrian ‘Golly’
Watson, who gave up his leave and weekends on occasions, we managed to
accommodate most requests for field visits.

For those
living outside of the tropics it is hard to appreciate what the wet season can
bring. For us, 10 feet a year is not uncommon. Now, that’s a lot of water.

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