WIRES Habitat Restoration Grant
We are delighted to announce that Gondwana Rainforest Trust has been awarded the 2025 Mikla Lewis OAM Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Grant by WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) as part of its 2025 National Grants Program.
This $20,000 grant will support our restoration of the Daintree Rainforest in Far North Queensland, a vital initiative to reconnect fragmented lowland tropical rainforest and strengthen habitat for one of Australia’s most iconic and endangered species, the Southern Cassowary.
Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii).
Reconnecting Rainforest and Restoring Habitat
Habitat loss, fragmentation and vehicle strikes have contributed to a dramatic decline in Cassowary numbers, now estimated at around 4,400 individuals.
Cassowaries play a pivotal role in rainforest regeneration: as large, ground-dwelling frugivores, they disperse seeds of many rainforest tree species that cannot spread effectively without them. By restoring critical lowland corridors, this project will:
- Conduct two surveys for Cassowaries and other wildlife
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Plant 6,000 native rainforest trees over the next 12 months to rebuild habitat connectivity and food resources
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Enhance safe passage for wildlife movement between cleared land and the adjacent Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
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Improve food availability for Cassowaries and shelter from human impacts
Grounded in Science and Local Knowledge
To ensure long-term conservation outcomes, the project includes independent seasonal fauna surveys (summer and winter), led by specialist ecologists. These surveys will provide key biodiversity insights and guide restoration decisions.
Setting up acoustic loggers to record frogs and other wildlife.
Towards a Healthier Rainforest Future
This grant supports our ongoing efforts to restore the Daintree Rainforest and protect threatened species. By rebuilding the Daintree, we aim to see Cassowary populations thrive into the next decade and beyond.
The first fauna survey in the Daintree Rainforest was conducted in February 2026 and you can see the results here.