What Rainforest Rescue does

Rainforest Rescue is an Australian nonprofit conservation organisation founded on 25 March 1999 by Dr Tony Parkes AO and headquartered between the Daintree region of Far North Queensland and northern New South Wales. Its mission is the permanent protection and active restoration of Australia's tropical rainforest, principally in the Daintree lowlands — described as the world's oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest at roughly 180 million years old — with a secondary footprint in Tasmania. The organisation pursues a two-pillar model: Protect a Rainforest (purchase of high-conservation-value freehold land and registration as Nature Refuges under Queensland's Vegetation Management Act 1999) and Plant a Rainforest (active restoration on degraded former sugarcane land). To date it has rescued 47 rainforest properties (46 in the Daintree, 1 in Tasmania), protected approximately 122 hectares of habitat, and planted more than 441,675 native trees since inception.

The operational engine is the Cow Bay native nursery — the largest in the Wet Tropics — with capacity to propagate up to 150,000 seedlings per year, supported by a secondary Diwan nursery. Restoration is executed through flagship projects including NightWings (18 hectares, 119,000+ trees, with high-conservation-value Nature Refuge status) and the Daintree Oxbow (~800 hectare wetland forest reconnection to the Daintree River), where 5,000 trees were planted in a single session on 16 May 2026 — the largest planting event in the organisation's history. Field operations are coordinated via Annual Community Tree Planting Days, corporate volunteer days (e.g., with NAB), and a documented 15-20 year restoration timeline.

Rainforest Rescue is a registered charity (ABN 61 086 885 154) that does not sell software or technology products and operates with no public API. Its revenue model is diversified across six channels: tax-deductible individual donations, the recurring "Rainforest Guardian" monthly giving program, bequests and gifts in wills, a tiered corporate Partners for Protection program (Canopy Club, Silver, Foundations), an online merchandise shop, and workplace giving — augmented more recently by cryptocurrency donations. Customer segments span individual supporters, corporate business partners across banking, travel, sustainable packaging, dermo-cosmetics and retail (including NAB, Travel Corporation, BioPak, Klorane, Servcorp, Parley For The Oceans, BioPak), schools, and trusts and foundations. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website, supplemented by on-site engagement at Daintree restoration sites. As of 31 March 2026 the organisation formally relocated its registration from NSW to Queensland, aligning its legal domicile with the Daintree operations centre.

Name

Rainforest Rescue

Legal name

Rainforest Rescue

Website

https://rainforestrescue.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Rainforest Rescue is an Australian nonprofit founded in 1999 that purchases and actively restores high-conservation-value tropical rainforest, primarily in the Daintree lowlands, serving individual donors, corporate partners, schools, and trusts through donations, recurring giving, and on-ground volunteer planting programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Nursery and Tree Production (111421), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (11321)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Ecosystem Carbon Removal (Afforestation/Reforestation, Improved Forest Management) (EUABAFAH), Invasive Species Control & Site Restoration (Pre/Post Planting) (AFAMACAN), Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB)

Keywords

• Rainforest conservation
• Habitat restoration
• Native tree planting
• Land conservation
• Environmental nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Cow Bay, Daintree

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting specific projects or general conservation work. All donations $2 and over are tax-deductible in Australia.
2. Rainforest Guardian Monthly Giving: Recurring monthly donations from committed supporters providing sustainable funding base for ongoing operations.
3. Bequests & Gifts in Wills: Planned giving program allowing supporters to leave lasting legacy through estate gifts.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Business partners contribute through Partners for Protection program with tiered sponsorship levels (Canopy Club, Silver, Foundations) providing both funding and co-marketing benefits.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling merchandise with proceeds supporting conservation activities.
6. Workplace Giving: Payroll giving program enabling employees to donate portions of pre-tax salary to organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rainforest Rescue purchases and permanently protects high-conservation-value rainforest land in the Daintree region of Australia and restores degraded former sugarcane farmland back to functioning native rainforest. The organization operates native plant nurseries to propagate up to 150,000 rainforest seedlings annually and runs community tree planting programs to deliver restoration at scale. It funds this work through individual donations, recurring monthly giving, corporate partnerships, bequests, grants, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Rainforest Rescue is a nonprofit conservation organization offering a portfolio of integrated programs focused on protecting and restoring rainforests, primarily in Australia's Daintree region. The core offerings include land acquisition for permanent protection (Protect a Rainforest), active restoration through tree planting (Plant a Rainforest), and native seedling propagation via two nurseries. The organization operates flagship restoration projects at the Daintree Oxbow (800 hectares) and Nightwings, supported by a Rainforest Guardians monthly giving program and Partners for Protection corporate partnerships. Additional offerings include an annual photography competition (Canopy Awards), an e-commerce shop, and cryptocurrency donation options. The organization does not offer software products, APIs, or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Protect a Rainforest Land acquisition program that purchases rainforest blocks for permanent conservation, increasing habitat connectivity and protecting biodiversity in the Daintree region and beyond. Funded by donors and grants for supporters who want tangible conservation outcomes.
• Plant a Rainforest Restoration projects that replant rainforest and re-establish habitat for plants and animals endemic to specific ecosystems, including community tree planting events and large-scale restoration on degraded sugarcane farmland. Targets individual donors, corporate partners, and volunteers.
• Daintree Oxbow Restoration A landmark wetland forest restoration initiative at the McDowell Oxbow, reconnecting approximately 800 hectares of former sugarcane floodplain to the Daintree River, creating vital wildlife habitat and protecting biodiversity. Operates under a 15-20 year restoration plan.
• Nightwings Restoration An 18-hectare restoration site at NightWings Rainforest Centre where over 119,000 native rainforest trees have transformed former sugarcane land into protected high conservation value rainforest recognized under Queensland's Vegetation Management Act 1999.
• Kurranji Bubu (Lot 46) Restoration A restored rainforest property formerly known as Lot 46, now renamed Kurranji Bubu, representing successful long-term restoration of degraded land back to functioning rainforest.
• Rainforest Guardians Monthly Giving A monthly giving program where supporters contribute regular donations starting at $2 per month to help purchase and protect rainforest, restore habitat, and support native wildlife conservation. Provides the organization a sustainable recurring revenue base.
• Partners for Protection A business partnership program enabling companies to support rainforest conservation through tiered sponsorship levels (Canopy Club, Silver, Foundations) and cause marketing collaborations, designed to meet ESG and net zero commitments.
• Canopy Awards An international rainforest photography competition celebrating the beauty of rainforests and supporting conservation awareness, with categories, a Grand Prize, and a People's Choice Award.
• Online Merchandise Shop An online store offering conservation-themed merchandise including reusable items, with proceeds supporting rainforest conservation efforts.
• Native Nursery (Cow Bay) A native plant nursery that propagates and grows rainforest trees for Daintree lowland restoration projects, with capacity to produce up to 150,000 seedlings per year. Also offers native tree orders to the public and partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 441,675+ trees planted since 1999
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Forest Super FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder Justin Snyder supports rainforest rescue through business operations. Customers' purchases make tangible environmental difference to rainforest conservation efforts.
• The Travel Corporation (Contiki, AAT Kings, Adventure World)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel brands with global operations supporting Daintree Rainforest restoration through Partners for Protection program. Commitment to net zero includes nature-based solutions. Shannon Guihan serves as Chief Sustainability Officer & Head of TreadRight Foundation.
• ScratchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-founder Mike Halligan supports rainforest protection through donations. Partnership provides environmental mission extension.
• BioPakcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder Richard Fine partners to extend environmental mission beyond sustainable products to lasting conservation and credible rainforest restoration efforts.
• Klorane AustraliacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCEO Laurent-Emmanuel Saffré deploys Group Climate Strategy in Australia through partnership. Supports Daintree Rainforest conservation, native plant and wildlife rejuvenation, and First Nations communities.
• National Australia Bank (NAB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst-ever corporate tree planting event organized in collaboration with NAB and Reforest. Bank employees participated in on-ground restoration activities at Daintree.
• ReforestcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for organizing corporate tree planting collaboration with NAB.
• ServcorpcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCanopy Club partner - premium tier of Partners for Protection program for business conservation partnerships.
• Clearlight SaunasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Level partner supporting rainforest conservation through Partners for Protection program.
• Parley For The OceanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundations Partner - environmental organization collaboration between ocean and rainforest conservation.
• B-AlternativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeventh year participating in tree planting events; constructs insect hotels from found materials for volunteer activities.
• Eco WipesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeventh year of planting participation; supports community tree planting events.
• Down Under ToursminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLargest business contingent at 2026 planting day; supports restoration activities.
• Wet Tropics Restoration AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance member including Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and Wet Tropics Management Authority; works on restoration initiatives.
• Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraditional Owner organization working alongside Rainforest Rescue on country; Yalanji Elder Bennett Walker welcomed community to 2026 planting.
• Wet Tropics Management AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment authority managing Wet Tropics World Heritage Area; partnered on restoration activities.
• Big Scrub Rainforest ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Dr Tony Parkes; ongoing collaboration on Science Saving Rainforests program and restoration science.
• Solar Whisper Wildlife and Crocodile CruisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder David White is long-time supporter; provides media footage and advocacy for Daintree River and rainforest conservation.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bush Heritage Australia: Large Australian conservation nonprofit focused on acquiring and managing landscapes for biodiversity; comparable as a peer nonprofit operating in land conservation, donor fundraising, and ecosystem restoration across Australia.
• Australian Wildlife Conservancy: Major Australian nonprofit focused on landscape-scale conservation through land acquisition, restoration, and species recovery; comparable as a peer land-protection/restoration nonprofit with similar donor-driven funding model.
• The Nature Conservancy (Australia): Global conservation nonprofit with active Australia operations focused on land protection, restoration, and marine conservation; comparable as a peer in donor-driven land acquisition and restoration programs in Australia.
• WWF-Australia: Major Australian branch of global conservation organization working on habitat protection, species conservation, and climate; comparable as a peer nonprofit with corporate partnerships and broad donor base supporting conservation programs.

Direct peers

• Greening Australia: Australia's largest environmental restoration nonprofit focused on reforestation, revegetation, and native plant propagation; directly comparable to Rainforest Rescue in tree-planting scale, nursery operations, and government/corporate partnerships.
• Greenfleet: Australian nonprofit reforestation organization planting native forests to offset carbon emissions; directly comparable as a peer nonprofit using corporate partnerships, donor funding, and active tree planting for climate/biodiversity outcomes.
• Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy: Australian nonprofit rainforest restoration organization in Northern NSW co-founded by Dr Tony Parkes; directly comparable as a peer rainforest conservation nonprofit sharing a co-founder and restoration science methodology.

Emerging players

• Reforest: Australian technology platform enabling corporate tree planting partnerships; comparable as a peer ecosystem enabler, having collaborated directly with Rainforest Rescue and NAB on tree planting events.
• Carbon Neutral Group: Australian carbon offset and biodiversity project developer running reforestation and conservation programs; comparable as a peer in carbon-linked reforestation funding and corporate nature-based solutions.

Others

• Wet Tropics Management Authority: Queensland government body managing the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area; comparable as an ecosystem partner — not a direct competitor — that Rainforest Rescue collaborates with on restoration within the same Daintree geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RFR_AU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/rainforestrescuer/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/RainforestRescueAu
• Instagraminstagram.com/rainforestrescueau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rainforest Rescue