Rainforest Connections conference in Ballina, NSW

Photo credit: NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)

Over 300 delegates gathered in Ballina in early June to discuss the restoration, rehabilitation and management of Australia’s rainforests. Participants came from a wide range of backgrounds including on-ground practitioners, community members, scientists and program managers. The conference was presented by the NSW Government through the Saving our Species program and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The Wet Tropics region was well represented with talks provided by Mamu, Rainforest Rescue, the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Jabalbina and the Restoration Alliance.  Presentations over the two days covered a diverse range of subjects including the origins and assembly of Australian rainforests, Myrtle Rust, Cape York rainforests, climate-driven floristic shifts in Gondwanan rainforests and conservation of rainforest fauna such as the Hip-pocket frog (Assa darlingtoni), the Southern pink underwing moth (Phyllodes imperialis subsp. smithersi) and a breeding program for the Kroombit tinkerfrog (Taudactylus pleione).

There was a very informative presentation by Landcare NSW about the different types of restoration methods that could be used to restore a landslip and a three-part video series has been produced on Mitigating Landslips with Nature-Based Strategies.

Of particular interest were talks about dormancy of some rainforest plant species (particularly members of the Rubiaceae family), storage of rainforest seeds and a publication produced by the Brunswick Valley Landcare called Climate Resilient Landscapes- a planting guide for the Northern Rivers Region. The guide provides detailed species information for drought resistant, fire retardant, flood tolerant and habitat plantings.

For full details including the 2024 program, visit the Rainforest Connections website https://rainforestconnections.com.au/.