Freemans Forest
Where we work / Wet Tropics / Freemans Forest
- Acquired:
- 2016
- Area:
- 20 ha
- Bioregion:
- Wet Tropics
- Habitat:
- Complex mesophyll vine forest of high rainfall, cloudy uplands on basalt
- Threatened Ecological Communities:
- 1
- Threatened and Near-Threatened Species:
- 9
Reserve Overview
Freemans Forest Nature Refuge provides a critical link in the wildlife corridor joining the World Heritage listed Curtain Fig and Lake Eacham National Parks on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. Habitat fragmentation threatens the long-term survival of many of the ecosystems on the Tablelands which have been very heavily cleared because of the rich volcanic soils. The local rainforest restoration group, TREAT, has had a long term project to join a number of the major remnants and has been working for many years on the Peterson Creek Corridor between the Mabi Forest at Curtain Fig (regional ecosystem 7.8.3)and the Hypsi Forest at Lake Eacham (regional ecosystem 7.8.2)
protecting wildlife, sustaining life
Species and Habitats
A recent study found that, despite the young age of the rainforest on the reserve and its lack of a mature structure, it is used by most of the birds and mammals present in the adjacent remnant forest in Crater Lakes National Park. One of the more interesting inhabitants of the rainforest on the nature refuge is the musky rat-kangaroo, Hypsiprymnodon moschatus, after whom the Hypsy Forest is named.
This rat-kangaroo is a primitive form of macropod with a prehensile tail and opposable thumbs on its hind feet which help it climb. It is our smallest kangaroo. It is endemic to the Wet Tropics. Unusual for macropods it is diurnal and spends the nights in small grass nests.
Conservation Highlights
A major challenge for the corridor project was linking Peterson Creek with the Lake Eacham rainforest. The late Ian Freeman resolved this issue by purchasing a largely cleared property that sat between the two. Assisted by TREAT, Ian set about replanting the rainforest. With incredible persistence and hard work, he dedicated many years to this effort until he was cruelly struck down by cancer. Ian bequeathed his property to Endeavour Conservation and we are now managing it as custodians of his wonderful legacy. The last two hectares of revegetation required to complete this part of the corridor was planted in 2017 and a closed canopy was achieved in 2019.
In 2023 we managed a project to erect a possum bridge over the major road adjoining Freemans Forest and which was acting as a barrier for wildlife movement along the Peterson Creek Corridor. We are very grateful for the contribution of Ergon Energy in erecting the bridge.
How you can help.
Every dollar helps us protect this reserve and some of the largest remaining populations of iconic Australian habitat and its species.