Securing a Climate Refuge for Threatened Species
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Action: Purchase and protection of Possum Ridge for permanent conservation
Additional actions: Ongoing management to provide a refuge for threatened flora and fauna
Area: 93 hectares in one of Australia's wettest and most biodiverse regions
Location: Bellenden Ker, Far North Queensland
Threatened Species: 11 species including Southern Cassowary, Spotted-tailed Quoll, and three endemic frog species (see full species list below)
Vegetation Type: Tropical rainforest covering the property (Regional Ecosystems RE 7.12.1a and RE 7.12.40a)
Fundraising Target: $930,000 to secure permanent protection ($1 per sqm)
Aerial view of Possum Ridge.
Possum Ridge at Bellenden Ker
Just a 45-minute drive south of Cairns lies a spectacular 93 hectare tropical rainforest property at Bellenden Ker - one of Australia’s wettest regions. Tropical rainforest covers all the property, which sits on the edge of the Mount Bartle Frere–Bellenden Ker massif, making it one of Australia’s most important regions for biodiversity and endemism. The property has a 2km boundary with Wooroonooran National Park, which is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, renowned for its dense rainforests and dramatic mountain ranges.
A vital climate refuge
Climate change poses a threat to a range of endemic Wet Tropics species. As the impacts of climate change increase the Possum Ridge property will provide an essential refuge for endemic plants and animals that may have nowhere else to go. Without functional connections within fragmented habitat areas, it is feared that the long-term survival of a range of species will be at substantial risk.
Striped Possum (Dactylopsila trivirgata).
Where threatened species find refuge
Possum Ridge is rich in flora, with 210 species identified during a vegetation survey by our botanist and ecologist. Seven of these are listed as significant or threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992, including the Russell River Lime, Babinda Tamarind, and Bellenden Ker Laurel. The broader ecosystem is also recognised as essential habitat for the endangered Southern Cassowary and the threatened Spotted-tailed Quoll.
The purchase and protection of Possum Ridge will expand the range of protected habitat—critical refugia—for these and other threatened species. This includes not only Cassowaries and Quolls, but also a wide range of rainforest birds and mammals.
In the property's lower altitudes, habitat conditions support several endemic and threatened rainforest frogs, such as the Waterfall Frog, the Common Mist Frog, and Tapping Green-eyed Frog.
Threatened species list:
Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii), Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), Waterfall Frog, Common Mist Frog, Tapping Green-eyed Frog, Russell River Lime (Citrus inodora), Babinda Tamarind (Diploglottis harpullioides), Black Walnut (Endiandra globosa), Bellenden Ker Laurel (Endiandra bellendenkerana), Endiandra anthropophagorum (a laurel with no common name) and a native pepper vine (Piper mestonii).
Tropical rainforest at Possum Ridge.
Possum Ridge lies within one of Australia's most important regions for biodiversity and endemism. The land complements the values of the wider Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and is a vital climate refuge for endemic wildlife.
Towering above the landscape are two granite massifs—Mount Bartle Frere (1,611 m) and Mount Bellenden Ker (1,593 m), Queensland’s highest and second-highest mountains. Rainfall at Mount Bellenden Ker averages 8,000 mm annually, with peaks estimated up to 17,000 mm, making it one of the wettest places on Earth.
A detailed report from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) found the property meets five key biodiversity criteria at High or Very High importance:
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Lower slopes of Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker: refugia, disjunct populations, species richness, relictual taxa, ecosystem variation and climate change refuge.
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Flora richness mapping: species richness.
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Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Outstanding Universal Values – Relictual and Important Evolutionary Areas: presence of relictual taxa.
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Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Outstanding Universal Values – Habitats for Conserving Biodiversity and Rare and Threatened Species of Flora and Fauna: recognised refugia and high species richness.
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Local core refugia: important microhabitat for native species.
The purchase of Possum Ridge will enable 93 hectares to be managed as an essential refuge for endemic mammals and birds.
Securing this important habitat helps ensure the long-term survival of many species. Through the purchase and protection of Possum Ridge, we are providing a vital climate refuge. That’s why we are purchasing this land—its value as a critical wildlife corridor and permanent refuge is priceless.
Possum Ridge provides essential habitat for the Spotted-tailed Quoll.
Nature Refuge planned for Possum Ridge
Due to its exceptional biodiversity, we’re working hard to secure Possum Ridge under our Gondwana Rainforest Refuges program, with the goal of protecting it in perpetuity through its gazettal as a registered Nature Refuge.
The Queensland Government’s Nature Refuge program works with landholders who have an interest in protecting and managing the significant conservation values of their land in perpetuity. A Nature Refuge is established through a voluntary, binding conservation agreement between the landholder and the Department of Environment and Science on behalf of the Queensland Government.
A Nature Refuge is established through a voluntary, binding conservation agreement between the landholder and the Department of Environment and Science on behalf of the Queensland Government. A declaration of a Nature Refuge requires gazettal through an act of the Queensland Parliament.
The purchase and protection of Possum Ridge will make a significant achievement for rainforest conservation in Queensland.
Botanist Kristopher Kupsch with a Mountain Cassowary Plum on the property.
Get Involved
Have questions? Read our Possum Ridge FAQs
Learn more: Explore our Gondwana Rainforest Refuges program
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