By: Alastair Smith, PhD
Discovering the Daintree
This past week SFS Australia had the opportunity to spend four days and three nights in the Daintree Rainforest in Northeast Queensland. This area is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.
Photo Credit: Gabby Brodek
We spent the first day and a half learning from the Aboriginal people of Mandingalbay Yidinji country about their history, culture, and relationship with the land. The rangers from the MY’s Djunbunji Land & Sea Program took us on a boat tour that gave us an overview of their land, as well as a botanical tour where they taught us how they use several species of fauna (including several poisonous species) in their culture. We learned of their rehabilitation and conservation efforts of the area, which due to their knowledge and connection to the land produces significant results. It was incredible to see how easily they worked with such a complicated and diverse environment. We had the privilege of camping with them and being shown some truly beautiful parts of land they live with.
Photo Credit: Dale Mundraby
We also spent a portion of this excursion looking at the fauna and getting a better understanding how so many species can live in unison in the rainforest. We saw several uncommon species of plants and animals, including the endangered cassowary and uncommon Boyd’s Forest Dragon. It’s incredible seeing these species in person.
Photo Credit: Gabby Brodek
One of the benefits of being a part of an SFS program is the small group that you’re with. It gives you the chance to partake in more opportunities. For example: exotic fruit tasting, crocodile tours, and sunrises on the beach. Some of the fruits tasted like chocolate pudding while others tasted like warheads. Although we do put in hours in the classroom, studying, and in the field, experiences like this and watching the sunrise on an Australian beach in the tropical rainforest are so appreciated.
Photo Credit: Gabby Brodek
Photo Credit: Bridget Gilmore
Photo Credit: Gabby Brodek
Photo Credit: Gabby Brodek
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