Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is rainforest important?
A. Rainforest is the most diverse ecosystem on Earth yet it only covers 6% of the world’s surface. A valuable resource for cultivated plants, many foods, raw materials and medicines, still each year over 20 million hectares are destroyed worldwide, logged for timber and cleared to plant crops and graze cattle. If this vital ecosystem is to survive, remaining areas of rainforest must be protected.
Australia is one of the few places in the developed world where rainforests are available for public enjoyment, global conservation and research.
Since the late 1700s much of Australia’s rainforest, including 75% of its original tropical rainforest, has been cleared for agricultural, industrial and urban development. Today rainforest covers just 0.5% or 4.2 million hectares of Australia’s landmass.
Every broad rainforest type is found in Australia, the driest inhabited continent on earth, where rainforests extend from the Kimberley region in Western Australia, across the Northern Territory to Cape York in Queensland and down the east coast through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania.
Q. Why does the ARF wand private citizens to own rainforest?
A. not all rainforest in Australia is in National Parks. Some 25% remains in private ownership with many more hectares existing as remnants on rural land in private ownership. Individuals and corporations have a right and some might say a responsibility to help protect the small amount of these ancient forests that remain in Australia.
Q. What can I do with my rainforest block?
A. In most cases you can enjoy owning it, walk on it and know that you are helping to protect vital fauna and flora. In other case you may be able to build a small dwelling on part of the block and protect the remainder under conservation covenants.
Q. What is a conservation covenant?
A. A conservation covenant is an agreement between the land owner (the covenantor) and another party, usually a local or state government (the covenantee) which states what can and can’t happen on the conservation area of the land. This is registered as a covenant on the land title so that any future owner will be bound by the terms of the covenant.
Q. What’s the difference between buying and sponsoring land?
A. When you buy the land you make a commitment to own and protect it. You get title to the land subject to a conservation covenant being registered on the title, which protects the ecological values of the land regardless of who owns it in the future. The land is yours to own, sell, gift, or bequest.
If you sponsor the land, then the price of sponsorship (the listed price) is a tax deduction to you. The ARF owns and protects the land. You are able to visit and enjoy the land just like a normal owner. A deed of Sponsorship defines the details of the donation.
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