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Recently, many of Australia’s iconic natural wonders have been increasingly challenged, from the series of coral bleaching events and cyclones that hit the Great Barrier Reef to the catastrophic wildfires that swept through southern Australia’s Kangaroo Island (KI) in 2020. Restoration and conservation efforts are wide-reaching for these fragile and much-loved natural ecosystems — a testament to the resiliency of nature and the Australian people.
Climate change has had a major impact on both the Great Barrier Reef and KI. According to NASA, 90 per cent of global warming is occurring within our oceans. Rising ocean temperatures have resulted in wide-scale coral bleaching events that threaten the survival of the reef. Climate change has also fuelled the rising number and severity of wildfires, including those in KI, destroying the local ecosystems and many of its native species.
Many major corporations have stepped up to support conservation efforts, including L’Oréal, Coles and Garnier. One of the brands leading the charge is Australia’s national airline Qantas, which details its Nature Action Plan with aims to reduce impact, regenerate and restore ecosystems and transform to more sustainable practices, company-wide. The brand has also announced a $400 million climate fund to develop new technologies to help reach its lofty goals of cutting carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, has been severely affected by climate change, leading to mass coral bleaching as well as major damage from cyclones.
Bleaching occurs when coral undergoes stress from changes in its environment (temperature or light, for example). This causes the coral to expel its symbiotic algae, causing them to turn white. Coral can recover from these events but will die completely if the stress is prolonged.
In response, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation has been at the forefront of conservation efforts, funding over 300 projects aimed at protecting and restoring the reef. Their initiatives include innovative techniques like Coral IVF, which involves collecting coral spawn and raising baby corals in floating nurseries before transplanting them onto damaged reefs — a process travellers to the area can witness and participate in. The foundation helps fund coral gardening, assisted evolution (developing stress-resistant coral strains) and educational programs.
Building on a 15-year partnership with the foundation, Qantas has committed $10 million over 10 years to the Reef Restoration Fund. This fund supports scientists, traditional owners and local tourism operators in their efforts to regenerate corals and implement cutting-edge restoration technologies.
One such operator is Passions of Paradise, an owner-operated company located just off the reef in Cairns, Tropical North Queensland, offering diving, sailing and snorkelling tours on many popular (and hidden) Great Barrier Reef sites. According to Le’a Dawes, marine biologist, Master Reef Guide and dive master at Passions of Paradise, one of the best things we can do to support the reef is continue to explore it.
“There is a reef levy and marine park fee included in your ticket price — that goes directly to reef conservation, management and education,” says Dawes, “Tourism really helps.”
Dawes leads eco-reef tours for the operator, offering visitors the chance to become a marine biologist for the day which supports the work of local conservationists like herself. Travellers will partake in citizen science activities such as Rapid Monitoring Survey Reports and Sightings Network submissions — tracking reef life and health — adding to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authorities database which is monitored by scientists and researchers in the field.
Dawes also suggests the following steps to support reef restoration (while exploring Australia or from abroad):
KI — known for its rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes — was ravaged by the “Black Summer” bushfires in 2019-2020. The fires destroyed almost half of the island’s vegetation and threatened the survival of many of its species.
The fires began after a devastating lightning strike, which lit fuel buildup from dead leaves and sticks – the perfect conditions for a fire. Spot fires quickly turned into a major bushfire, and the wind shifted north, taking only five to six hours to sweep from the northern side of the island to the south.
Viewers all over the world watched news of the fires, showing cuddly koalas and wallabies trying to evade the blaze, many taking to the water in hopes of escape. In total, 46-48 per cent of the island was burned and 80,000+ koalas went down to 8,000 and losing more than half of its namesake, the kangaroo.
Thankfully, the island is in recovery. According to an experience guide at Southern Ocean Lodge, one of Australia’s top award-winning, luxury lodges and a recent wildfire recovery success story, the biodiverse ecosystem is naturally regrowing.
He suggests three naturally occurring processes are to thank for KI’s flora recovery. Epicormic growth occurs from within the trunk of a tree (known as lignotuber) — as long as the epicentre isn’t touched by the flame, it’ll regrow. Recruitment occurs when a tree’s seed pods are buried underground. The smoke from a fire germinates the seeds, causing them to spread open and could result in more diversity after devastation. Lignotuber regrowth is a swelling of the tree’s root system that acts as a barrier against destruction, essentially holding its energy and protecting it against fires.
The surviving fauna also have a positive impact — many mammals make bushfires less intense by eating the dead leaves and churning the soil to bring up moisture.
Southern Ocean Lodge, one of the 87 buildings on the island destroyed by the fire, has undergone an extensive rebuild, reopening to the public in December of 2023 and offering its visitors an extensive look into the bushfires and recovery through its signature experiences (included in the cost of your room).
Australia’s commitment to conservation goes beyond its natural landscapes. Certain properties and carriers lead the way in sustainable travel, allowing guests to see and experience the best Australia has to offer while minimizing their ecological footprint as much as possible.
The restoration and conservation efforts in Australia are a testament to the resilience of both nature and humanity. By supporting these important initiatives and choosing eco-minded travel options, as well as making small changes in our daily lives, we can all contribute to preserving and helping these important ecosystems thrive for future generations to enjoy.
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