big scrub rainforest conservancy

Formerly Big Scrub Landcare, we are one of Australia’s most successful not-for-profit community conservation organisations.

We help save from extinction Australia’s critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest and its many threatened species.

We are the Voice of the Rainforest.

About Us

Welcome to the Big Scrub

The “Big Scrub” was once the largest area of lowland subtropical rainforest in Australia: it covered 75,000 ha in the hinterland of Byron Bay, until cleared by European settlers. Today, only 1% of this once mighty rainforest remains.

Despite this devastation, its remnants retain the highest proportion of Gondwana-descended species of any rainforest in Australia, with many lineages dating back more than 180 million years. Home to the richest terrestrial biodiversity in NSW – the third richest in Australia – it’s an ancient, complex ecosystem of immense ecological and cultural value.

Discover the Big Scrub

Science Saving Rainforests

Our ground-breaking Science Saving Rainforests program analyses the genomes of 60 species occurring in critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest based on DNA sequencing of more than 10,000 leaf samples.

These genome analyses will inform the establishment of a multi-species living seed bank plantation that will produce planting stock with optimal genetic diversity for restoration plantings to help save from extinction our critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest and its threatened species.

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Our Programs

For over 30 years, we’ve connected community and employed groundbreaking, science-backed techniques to restore critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforest.

Science Saving Rainforests

Re-establishing Rainforest

Remnant Care

Connecting Community

Stories of Success

TARRA: Bangalow

A look inside Big Scrub RC Co-Founder, Dr Tony Parkes’, Bangalow rainforest...

Crystal Hill: Coolgardie

A mother-daughter legacy: 50+ years of regeneration ...

Brookfarm: Coopers Shoot

Brookfarm’s transformation from desolate farm to towering rainforest ...

Grow Your Own Rainforest

Wondering how to restore rainforest on your own land? We’ve developed a step-by-step guide.

Subtropical Rainforest Restoration Manual

Our rainforest restoration manual is a comprehensive guide for land owners, managers and regenerators seeking to re-establish or rehabilitate rainforest.

The manual contains information on how to care for existing subtropical rainforest remnants as well as re-establish subtropical rainforest on land from which it has been cleared. It incorporates the latest science and best practice for rainforest regeneration planning, planting, weed control and important data relevant to planting the trees and shrubs that occur in lowland subtropical rainforest.

Get Your Copy

More Information

Read our FAQs for quick answers to common regen questions.

FAQs

Latest News

Koalas in the Big Scrub: A Conservation Dilemna

The Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy, landowners, land managers and regenerators have been working hard for 40 years to protect, regenerate and replant the vegetation that once flourished on the red ferrosol soils of the Big Scrub. That vegetation type is lowland...

Science in the Pub: Tim Low and Mark Dunphy entertain birdos at the Eltham

The long awaited – two years in the making – Science in the Pub with Tim Low finally took place last week at the Eltham Hotel. After being delayed by Covid and the floods, Lismore City Council, Richmond Landcare Inc and the other presenting partners staged the event...

Shy, cute but with an iron stomach: Can you guess this Big Scrub favourite?

By James Hagan As the sun rises to strike the giant trunks of the rainforest, dawn light begins to cascade over the meadows of herbs and grasses and it is time to retreat once again deep into the protection of the shadows for yet another day. As they softly pad...

Alex Floyd Tribute: “Unsurpassed knowledge” of rainforest botany

One of the pioneers of rainforest botany, and a formative personality of conservation in our region, Alex Floyd, passed away earlier this year. In an insightful and touching obituary published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Rob Kooyman shared many of the amazing...

Regeneration Fest Wrap: An inspiring (and zero-waste) day of reconnection

The inaugural Regeneration: A Day to Celebrate brought the community together at the Mullum Community Garden last Saturday – with amazing keynote speakers and some big strides forward for event sustainability. Around 1,200 people attended the event throughout the day...

Science Saving Rainforests Update: DNA Sequencing Underway

After suffering bushfire, flood and covid-related delays, our flagship program Science Saving Rainforests has sprung into action and is quickly making up for lost time. Most excitingly, the DNA sequencing phase of the program has begun, with a number of species...

President’s 2022 Annual Report

Annual President’s Report 2022Record year for Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy Tony Parkes’ 2021-22 Annual President’s Report to the members of Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy After 29 years as Big Scrub Landcare, members agreed that we should change our name to Big...

Propagation, Regeneration, Celebration: New festival to celebrate regeneration of the region

By Ray Moynihan Some books change your life. Australian Rainforest Seeds and its guidance on propagation changed mine. This time 12 months ago I was an overpaid academic on the path to full professor. A year later I’m organising seed propagation workshops in schools...

Annual President’s Report 2022: Record year for Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy

Tony Parkes' 2021-22 Annual President’s Report to the members of Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy After 29 years as Big Scrub Landcare, members agreed that we should change our name to Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy (BSRC). The new name better reflects the much...

Big Scrub Day Gallery: Official Photos from Big Scrub Rainforest Day 2022

There were just so many fantastic photos captured by our official photographers at our long-awaited Big Scrub Rainforest Day on 30th October 2022 that we thought we’d share some more with you. With an estimated 750 people in attendance, it was truly wonderful to see...