become a habitat hero and grow our future forests
We need your help to maintain a vibrant community nursery that is foused on conservation and growing local plants from the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
For over three decades the Barung nursery has been an integral part of conservation efforts in our region, growing over 2.5 million local native plants.
We are seeking your support through regular monthly donations to keep Barung and the plants growing strong and to continue our crucial conservation work.
Or of course you can make a once off donation!
How your monthly donation can help
$50
Biodiversity
Enables seed collection and propagation of diverse species
Habitat Hero 50
$500
Reforestation
Grows plants for large scale habitat plantings on the Range
Habitat Hero 500
Or set your own amount to donate, either monthly or as a single donation!
All donations are greatly appreciated and help Barung Landcare achieve our conservation outcomes
*All donations are tax deductible. No minimum term on your monthly donation and you can cancel it any time.
If you prefer, you can make your donation by depositing directly into the Barung Environmental Gift Fund.
Barung Landcare Assoc | BSB 124-001 | Account 100082539
Protecting local biodiversity, solving global problems
Why we need your help
Critical to Barung achieving our mission, we need to maintain productive wholesale and community nurseries. This enables us to grow the diverse range of local and specialised species required to fulfil our biodiversity aspirations and protect our local species from extinction.
What’s involved
Seed collection activities, Mapping Carronia vine, Plant propagation, Nursery operations, Project Management.
What this costs per year
Seed Collecting and growing – 52 days of seed collection = $18,720, 30 days of propagation (growing diversity) $12,000
Supplying water to our seedlings – Pumps, pump repair and irrigation equipment $5,000.
On ground activities – Project management, mapping species, landholder engagement, organising community planting days and plant donations $12,000.
Last year we spent $28,797 just on potting mix alone!
Why is this work important?
Prior to European settlement the Sunshine Coast Council area was covered with 225,471 hectares of remnant native vegetation. Today, there remains 92,566 hectares or 41% of what previously occurred in the region. Of that original native vegetation, 39,237 was rainforest. Today there remains 16,759 hectares of rainforest or 43% of what previously occurred.
Rainforest vegetation communities on the Sunshine Coast remain highly fragmented due to land clearing and land use change which leaves remnant patches of rainforest vegetation vulnerable to the impacts of invasive species, land use impacts, and a changing climate.
Fragmented and isolated remnants of rainforest are more vulnerable to weed invasion from adjacent properties, and prolonged periods of drought and heat can significantly dry out understories and increase the risk of fire and degradation of understorey environments.
With annual average temperatures expected to rise on the Sunshine Coast, our region will experience more days each year over 35°C, and more extreme heat waves and other extreme weather events too.
Why do we need to protect rainforests?
Rainforests are crucial to life on Earth due to their vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Although rainforests only cover about 2-6% of the planet’s surface, they are home to over half of the world’s plant and animal species, many of which have not yet been discovered. These ecosystems are rich in biodiversity, providing food, shelter, and medicine for countless species, including humans.
Our precious rainforests also play a significant role in regulating the Earth’s climate. Through photosynthesis, trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to stabilise atmospheric conditions and mitigate climate change by acting as carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon in their biomass. They are also vital for the water cycle, acting as natural sponges, absorbing and slowly releasing water, which supports regional rainfall patterns and helps maintain freshwater supplies. Lastly, rainforests contribute to global and local weather patterns, influencing the stability of ecosystems across continents. Their destruction, therefore, would have catastrophic effects not just on local biodiversity, but on the climate and food security worldwide. Protecting rainforests is essential for sustaining life on Earth.