Ecological restoration

Since 2007, ARCS has been intensively involved in a rainforest restoration project on Springbrook Plateau in the Gold Coast Hinterland. The project, Springbrook Rescue, is an international case study in ecological restoration.The IUCN publication describing the case studies can be viewed here.

A comprehensive and detailed description of the project is provided on the Springbrook Rescue web site. The site also gives a great deal of information about the biodiversity values including World Heritage values of Springbrook Plateau.

Springbrook Rescue

Springbrook Rescue is a long-term 10- to 20-year project with an overall aim of restoring rainforest on 104 hectares of cleared land embedded within about 705 hectares of mostly mature or regenerating forests purchased by the Queensland government for addition to National Park. The aim is to re-create critical species habitats and links between fragmented sections of the national park for a more viable World Heritage Area where ancient lineages of outstanding universal value can flourish and survive the impacts of future climate change.

The Australian Rainforest Conservation Society has accepted responsibility for managing the restoration program, pro bono, for properties purchased by the Queensland Government. This is consistent with the ARCS mission to “protect, repair and restore” the universally significant rainforests of Australia. Restoration will be done in the overall context of restoring World Heritage values and integrity in the Springbrook precinct with a focus on whole catchments wherever possible.