The biggest threat to the survival of the Big Scrub Rainforest is weak genetic diversity among key tree species. Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy will develop the world’s first genome-science informed plantation to produce genetically optimal seed of 60 threatened and key structural tree species. Genome analyses identifies where to collect cuttings, seed or juveniles of ...
Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy
Science Saving Rainforests
GOAL
$100,000
Australia > NSW > Regional
Field of Interest
- Environment conservation and climate change
Target Population
- Flora / fauna
Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy
Founded in 1993, we are a not-for-profit community conservation organisation working to save the Big Scrub rainforest in North-Eastern NSW. We care for over 40 remnants of the Big Scrub and have doubled the area of remaining rainforest by facilitating the planting of 2.5 million trees on 700 hectares of land. Our mission is to save from extinction Australia’s critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest and its many threatened species, with a focus on the Big Scrub. Covering an area of approximately 75,000 hectares between Byron Bay, Ballina and Lismore, the Big Scrub was the largest expanse of lowland subtropical rainforest in Australia, until it was aggressively cleared to 1% of its original size. By supporting us you help:
– Protect ancient, biodiverse rainforest: We care for 40 precious rainforest remnants
– Create new rainforest: Over 3M trees planted = 700 hectares of new rainforest & counting!
– Protect threatened flora and fauna: Over 100 species of the Big Scrub are threatened with extinction
– Our world-first Science Saving Rainforests Program: Repairing the lack of genetic diversity among key tree species, and making subtropical rainforests more resilient to climate change
Project Summary
The biggest threat to the survival of the Big Scrub Rainforest is weak genetic diversity among key tree species. Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy will develop the world’s first genome-science informed plantation to produce genetically optimal seed of 60 threatened and key structural tree species.
Genome analyses identifies where to collect cuttings, seed or juveniles of 20 to 30 individuals of each species. They will then be grown on to provide planting stock for the plantation that will produce seed with optimal genetic diversity to avoid inbreeding. This ground-breaking methodology has the potential for worldwide application where similar degradation or fragmentation of plant populations have resulted in a lack of genetic diversity. This methodology can also be applied to enhance the sustainability of major reforestation and carbon sequestration projects.
Project Outcomes
A long-term project, the outcome is to produce seed with optimal genetic diversity to support the planting of new rainforest that will be more resilient to climate change and thrive into the future.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $2,000,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Gap | $100,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Genome analyses | $100,000 |
Support Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy
Got a question about this organisation or ready to contribute? Contact us.
Are you an ACF Fundholder? Log in to your Fund Portal to request a grant from your Fund.
Add your organisation to the Funding Platform
Is your not-for-profit organisation seeking funding? Add your organisation to the Funding Platform or upload your funding needs for a project.
Is this your organisation profile? You can request updates by resubmitting a Funding Platform Submission.