Sharing knowledge to support rainforest restoration
Sharing knowledge to support rainforest restoration
The sharing of knowledge around the location of rainforest tree specimens will improve rainforest restoration outcomes in the Orara Valley
Community Participation -
LP-022-035
The issue
There is very little remnant Lowland Rainforest remaining in the Orara Valley as it was heavily cleared early last century. Over the past 25 years there has been a concerted effort to restore Lowland Rainforest in the Valley. A local seed source is required to propagate rainforest species for restoration work. For many rainforest species only 1 or 2 mature specimens remain in the entire valley from which seed can be collected. The knowledge of the location of these seed trees is held by only a handful of people. Three of these knowledge holders are becoming older and this knowledge may be lost if not documented.
The solution
The three knowledge holders, Lloyd Foster, Ron Smith & John Ross, had expressed their desire to share their knowledge of the location of these rainforest specimens to ensure the ongoing success of rainforest restoration projects in the Orara Valley. Therefore funding was sourced through the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants to provide time for a CHRL project officer to work with the men to record and map the locations of the rainforest specimens. Funding also allowed site visits to be carried out to verify the location of specimen trees and to try and locate other sought after rainforest species. These site visits provided the opportunity to engage with landholders as most remnants are on private land.
The impact
The locations of 78 rainforest seed trees have been recorded and mapped and this information is now stored on the CHRL server and is readily accessible. A list of 130 rainforest species that locally occur in the Orara Valley has also been compiled. This will help guide species selection for rainforest restoration projects. By sharing their knowledge, the knowledge holders have ensured that a diverse range of rainforest species can continue to be propagated and used in local restoration projects. Species that are limited to only a few mature specimens can be planted more widely to ensure that they are retained in the valley particularly if the remaining remnant specimens are lost from old age, clearing or bushfire.
Key facts
- 78 rainforest seed tree locations recorded and mapped.
- 130 rainforest species listed for the Orara Valley
- Knowledge sharing improves restoration project outcomes