Home / Environment / Rainforest Reborn: 10 Years, 119,000 Trees Grow New Life
Rainforest Reborn: 10 Years, 119,000 Trees Grow New Life
7 Sep
Summary
- Over 119,000 native trees planted across 18 hectares.
- Restored rainforest gains Category A protection from Queensland Government.
- Habitat recovery attracts spectacled flying-foxes and cassowaries.
Annie Schoenberger's ambitious goal to re-establish rainforest on cleared sugarcane land near Wonga Beach has culminated in a remarkable 10-year restoration.
Her NightWings Rainforest Centre, in partnership with Rainforest Rescue, saw the planting of over 119,000 native trees across 18 hectares. This extensive effort began in 2015, with community planting events contributing significantly. The diverse species selection aimed to recreate the ecological functions of the original Daintree lowland rainforest.
As the vegetation flourished, the restored property became vital habitat. Spectacled flying-foxes, a species Schoenberger has a history of caring for, and southern cassowaries have been recorded there. Surveys indicate over 75 fauna species now utilize the recovering landscape, highlighting its ecological significance.
Significant progress was achieved in May 2026 when the Queensland Government designated the 18 hectares as Category A protected vegetation, recognizing its high nature conservation value. This formal protection acknowledges the transformation of former agricultural land into a valuable ecological asset.
