OUR PURPOSE

It may surprise many, but in comparison with the rest of the Australia, the high biodiversity of the Australian Wet Tropics is hardly ever the subject of scientific research. Given the acknowledged importance, both nationally and globally of the region (it is a Word Heritage area) this lack of research is a major problem as the pressures of development and tourism are poised to overwhelm the area. We need good scientific information to help avert the damage this will cause.

The Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station was established as a research station in 1988 during the height of the political controversy over the listing of the region in the Register of World Heritage, to provide a locus for researchers and students to carry out both pure and management oriented research in the region. The efforts of volunteers and interns are vital to the continuing operation of the Station.

The Australian Tropical Research Foundation (AUSTROP), an independent, not-for-profit, tax-deductible institution, has been set up to operate the Station.