Corridor opens new avenues for Wet Tropics wildlife

A vigorous tree planting session held in March is set to create a critical ecological corridor for Wet Tropics wildlife, linking the tropical coast near Mission Beach to the Atherton Tablelands.

A dedicated team of 45 volunteers planted more than 1700 rainforest trees in less than three hours as part of a habitat restoration initiative to preserve Australia’s longest east-west rainforest corridor.

Colloquially known as ‘Smith’s Gap’, the corridor connects coastal lowland rainforest to the East Evelyn rainforest in the southern Tablelands.

Revegetating this nationally significant corridor is a priority conservation initiative implemented by ‘Crazy About Cassowary’ partners, Terrain NRM, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Wet Tropics Management Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

“It was important to get the community involved so that they understand the value of maintaining the corridor”, QPWS ranger Audrey Reilly says.  

“Our partners were the key in bringing the community together to enable this habitat restoration to occur.”  

The corridor will greatly assist animals such as possums, cassowaries and birds to move through the landscape.

Published: 24th Mar 2017