Today is Earth Day, a global event that calls for environmental awareness and action, and here in the Douglas Shire, locals are leading by example.

Rainforest Rescue has officially unveiled a striking new mural at the Rainforest Rescue Native Nursery in Cow Bay.

The celebration reflects the Douglas Shire’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship, right in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest.

The mural was created by local illustrator Victoria McGrane, known for her nature-inspired artwork under The Scenic Route. 

It captures the rich biodiversity of the Daintree and highlights a growing local movement that blends tourism, conservation, and community involvement.

The artwork now serves as a permanent visual reminder of what makes this corner of Far North Queensland so unique, and so worth protecting.

Speaking at the unveiling, Rainforest Rescue nursery manager Marine Deliens said the mural reflects more than just natural beauty.

“It’s a sign of the strength of our partnership as well as the connections between conserving and restoring the natural environment and ways in which visitors to the Daintree can contribute to its thriving future," she said.

As part of the celebration, attendees rolled up their sleeves and planted native rainforest trees on the former Cow Bay airstrip site,  a space now being transformed back into natural habitat. 

The trees were grown right there in the Native Nursery, which produced over 56,000 native trees last year and is set to expand to 150,000 annually once at full capacity.

Artist Victoria McGrane, who lives locally and draws much of her inspiration from the Daintree itself, said it was a privilege to contribute to the project. 

“It’s an honour to be collaborating on a positive impact project where you can see the difference it's making,” she said. 

I get so much inspiration from nature and the Daintree is full of amazing creatures and plants, the mural is a reflection of this.”

The mural is a strategic partnership with Down Under Tours and the TreadRight Foundation.

It aims to attract both local and international tourists to the Daintree Rainforest, encouraging them to support its ongoing restoration.