What new reforestation methods is RCF using?

Rainforest Conservation Foundation is pioneering new methods of seed collection and planting for large-scale reforestation in Far North Queensland. They include island planting, which mimics how trees form naturally in the rainforest, and more efficient seed collection by postie bike. RCF is also exploring how drones could help reforest the hardest to reach areas.

What is island planting?

Island planting is a reforestation technique that mimics the natural formation of trees in the rainforest. On Rainforest Conservation Foundation's large restoration projects, local rainforest trees hand raised in RCF's nurseries are planted in patches, or islands. These island plantings give a natural spread of a wide variety of trees across the property being restored.

How does RCF collect seeds from the rainforest?

Seeds are often located kilometres into dense rainforest, and collecting them on foot can take hours. At its Benella headquarters, RCF's Conservation Officer, Golly, now uses Pat the Postie Bike to reach remote areas. The bike lets the team cover more ground and collect more seed in one trip, and it is less damaging to the rainforest.

PIONEERING NEW WAYS TO REFOREST

Rainforest Conservation Foundation is pioneering new and inventive methods of seed cultivation and planting to establish large scale reforestation projects.

As technology changes, so must our approach for restoring the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Check out our information videos below on the different techniques Rainforest Conservation Foundation are implementing.

Island Planting: The Future of Reforestation

A ground-breaking technique which mimics the natural formation of trees found in the rainforest.

Drone Planting: A Modern Approach to Reforestation

Using drones to reforest some of the most hard to reach areas of rainforests and take reforestation to the next level.

Innovating Seed Collection: Changing the way seeds are collected

An innovative technique which is changing how our team finds and collects seeds for reforestation

Pat the Postie, RCF's red postie bike used for seed collection trips

We’re all about working smarter at our Benalla Rainforest Conservation Headquarters, so let us introduce you to one of our hardest working team members…Pat the Postie Bike!

With Pat has part of our team, our Conservation Officer, Golly, is able to scoot about the rainforest collecting seeds much more efficiently, the bike is also less damaging to the ecosystem and helps the team access hard to reach areas of the rainforest.

Seeds are often located kilometres into the rainforest, in dense hard to reach areas and the collection of seeds can take hours when hiking through the rough terrain.

However, thanks to Pat the Postie Bike, the team can collect more seeds in one trip and access these remote areas. Meaning they are able to traverse more kilometres in one trip that would be possible on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Rainforest Conservation Foundation is pioneering new methods of seed collection and planting for large-scale reforestation in Far North Queensland. They include island planting, which mimics how trees form naturally in the rainforest, and more efficient seed collection by postie bike. RCF is also exploring how drones could help reforest the hardest to reach areas.
Island planting is a reforestation technique that mimics the natural formation of trees in the rainforest. On Rainforest Conservation Foundation’s large restoration projects, local rainforest trees hand raised in RCF’s nurseries are planted in patches, or islands. These island plantings give a natural spread of a wide variety of trees across the property being restored.
Seeds are often located kilometres into dense rainforest, and collecting them on foot can take hours. At its Benella headquarters, RCF’s Conservation Officer, Golly, now uses Pat the Postie Bike to reach remote areas. The bike lets the team cover more ground and collect more seed in one trip, and it is less damaging to the rainforest.