Australia's rainforests are living treasures. They are ancient and irreplaceable. They stretch from the Wet Tropics in Queensland down the east coast.
They support unique wildlife and rich biodiversity. They provide clean water and carbon storage.
On World Rainforest Day (22 June 2026), we recognise the need to protect and restore these ecosystems.
In Lismore, NSW, rainforest is returning to the riverbanks on Widjabul Wia-bal Country. A major autumn planting season is now complete.
This work is helping revive the critically endangered Lowland Subtropical 'Big Scrub' Rainforest. Once the largest of its kind in Australia, it now remains at less than 1% of its original range.
The project is delivering targeted on-ground works to restore habitat condition and connectivity. It also improves water quality and build resilience in urban areas to environmental threats.
Project highlights
The project is:
- restoring and reconnecting 42 hectares of EPBC-listed rainforest
- strengthening habitat connectivity
- improving resilience to weeds, pollution and flooding
- supporting native species through culturally informed restoration.
More than 170 community members took part in 6 planting events along the riverbanks. Together, they planted more than 10,300 flood-tolerant riparian rainforest and wetland species.
This is helping bring new life to the landscape and strengthen river health.
Community at the centre
Community support is central to this work. Their collaboration is helping restore Country and strengthen ecosystems.
This project is funded by the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with support from:
- Lismore City Council
- Rous County Council
- Wilsons River Landcare Group Inc
- Richmond Landcare Inc
- Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation
- Ngulingah Local Aboriginal Land Council
- South Lismore Duckpond Landcare Inc
- Lismore Lake Inc Landcare
- Far North Coast Canoe Club
- Richmond Riverkeeper
- Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy Inc
- OzFish Unlimited
- Revive Northern Rivers
- North Coast Local Land Services
- BirdLife Australia (Northern NSW Chapter)
