Daintree fundraising film initiative

Back in 2005-6, I learned of an initiative to help raise money to preserve the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. What struck me as unique was it was a grass roots project undertaken by a tourguide who believed that local people and tourists could do more than they were doing.  He was right of course, yet, how many people go that next step to devise a plan and make it real?

The tourguide himself dreamed he could make a difference in the state of the environment.  He was familiar with the decreasing numbers of birds and wildlife in the area and he decided to take action to do something about it. He compared existing websites and initiatives available to the public.  He composed music for the project and set out to contact celebrity performers who would be willing to donate time. He recruited Australian talent and requested other bands too.

This man also lived in very basic circumstances which meant he was a man of principle. He was helping to script a film that would have the power to compel people to relive their pasts and rethink their futures in harmony wiht nature.  he didn't wish to be seen as living contrary to what he was promoting. His other day job enabled him to encourage recycling paper and other office supplies.  The man found obtaining funding for his film project a challenge, especially because he was relatiely unknown and his proposal was rather basic. Nonetheless, he continued to  make valiant efforts. He wrote public relations letters directly to organisations he felt would be in a position to support the work. Much to his surprise, he received some replies. That's progress!

This tourguide's big dream is building developers, government agencies, locals and environmental interest groups would stop debating over price, the value or control of the Daintree land and focus more attention on saving wildlife and vegetation for its intangible worth. Although National Geographic wasn't apparently interested in supporting the project because it was too multi-disciplinary and not ground-breaking or purely scientific enough, this has not deterred the filmmaker from his desire to construct and eventually share his story.

Last I heard, the film is evolving. The filmmaker is involving volunteer tourists and friends as actors and musicians in parallel storylines. The project is building enthusiasm among contributors.  What is really striking about the initiative is it is bringing international strangers together in a common environmental cause.  Such efforts to draw attention to the importance of sustainability, cooperation and human compromise. It also demonstrate where a will exists, ways can be found.