Rainforest Rescue (RR) is a not-for-profit organisation that has been protecting and restoring rainforests since March 1999 by providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to Protect Rainforests Forever.
Branden Barber, a lifelong environmentalist, joined Rainforest Rescue as the CEO back in 2018. His career had started with a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, he cut his teeth with Greenpeace International on the Rainbow Warrior and then ran the Victorian State Office for Greenpeace Australia. In the last 30 years, Branden has been involved with multiple environmental organizations as staff or as a consultant, served on the Leadership Teams at both Rainforest Action Network and Amazon Watch, and has sat on several boards – always with a focus on the environment.
You became RR’s CEO six years ago. Do you remember your experience through the recruitment process and what was your major motivation to accept this job offer?
I do remember my experience – I was in California and I wanted the opportunity to put my organisational development experience and skills to work in Australia at a nature positive organisation. My original plan had been to spend time in the USA gaining experience that would benefit the environmental sector in Australia. This seemed to be the perfect opportunity. As I was overseas at the time, the initial engagement and discussion with NGO Recruitment about the job was via phone, followed by video conference interviews with NGO’s consultant Louise Furlong and the Rainforest Rescue board chair and members. NGO Recruitment facilitated all aspects of the process including interviews, reference checking and psychometric testing and salary negotiation, as well as being a sounding board and providing information to assist with the subsequent relocation of my family from California to Australia.
Rainforest Rescue is celebrating a 25th anniversary this year, 6 of which have been under your leadership. Can you tell us how RR has evolved over the years, what challenges the organisation has overcome and plans for the future?
It’s great to be at an organisation with history – and strong conservation outcomes overall. Before I came on board, Rainforest Rescue had 70Ha of rare and threatened Daintree habitat under our protection. In the last 6, we’ve increased that by 50Ha. We used to produce 12,000 trees a year for limited restoration. Now we have the capacity to produce 150,000 trees per year and our intention is to support the nature positive Green Economy, providing restoration services and biodiverse and species-diverse seedlings for the region’s restoration efforts. The board has been renewed during my tenure – with some board members having been on the board for 14 years. We renewed our voting membership. We increased staff from 5 to 16 plus contractors and volunteers. Our revenue has increased 5-fold. We have strong partnerships and are working closely with the local aboriginal corporation and local traditional owners. Our culture has grown with the team and we are proud to be Rainforest Rescue, together.
So – we’ve overcome significant challenges and now have a clear road forward that includes significant intact habitat protection, significant habitat restoration, and significant seedling production. We’re learning our way through and into the carbon and nature positive markets as ways to support the increased scaling of our operations and capacity to continue our growth so that we may make the greatest contributions possible to mitigating the climate and biodiversity crises.
How does Rainforest Rescue engage individuals and businesses in its mission to Protect Rainforests Forever?
We have a growing business partnership program – engaging businesses not only as supporters, but as advocates for our work, their partnership in itself encouraging more and more companies and business leaders to support Rainforest Rescue.
There are so many ways that a business can support us – with ten different Partnership tiers and programs, every business supporting our work – large or small – has a valuable place in the Rainforest Rescue Family.
We have grown this Partnership program significantly over time – with over 185 businesses involved, and several of those are at our highest tiers. Businesses vary in their engagement – some send teams of employees to our annual community tree plantings, some have regular reports to their clients on their contributions to RR and how that is showing their commitment to the environment and to the climate, and then we have businesses who contribute in-kind support. Business supporters are a significant part of what Rainforest Rescue does and is achieving. We would be so far behind where we are now without our business supporters.
They help us move the needle on large-scale change: helping us protect over 2 million square metres of under-protected Daintree lowland rainforest, plant over 370,000 tree to repair damaged Daintree habitat, and establish the region’s largest seed nursery – aiming to grow one MILLION seedlings within the decade, to in turn repair damaged rainforest regionally.
We believe business can be a massive proponent for change – and at Rainforest Rescue – they already are.
Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives that Rainforest Rescue is particularly excited about?
We are extremely excited to be starting our first Queensland Government Land Restoration Fund Project. This is part of our strategy to grow the restoration economy locally – working with landholders to restore ex-agricultural land in a way that is financially beneficial for them – and good for Nature, people and planet.
What is your recipe for leading a successful not-for-profit organisation?
Openness. Transparency. Accessibility. Compassion. Inclusivity. Decision-making.
How many people work at Rainforest Rescue? What qualities do you appreciate most for in your team members?
We’re up to 16 plus contractors and volunteers. They are all excellent people. I often say we hire unicorns at RR – they are rare and magical . Each of our staff members brings unique qualities that enhance the overall organisation – the whole being greater than the sum. I’m very proud of the team that has come together to make RR more successful than ever.
What recommendations do you have for individuals considering a role within the environmental protection sector?
Go with your heart. Follow your passion. Work with people who will look out for you – and you will in turn look out for them.
The 25th anniversary is an impressive milestone for Rainforest Rescue. What are your celebration plans?
We’re running a series of stories and engagement points to inform and inspire people. You can see them here.
I’m genuinely looking forward to the next 25! There’s so much to do – and no time to waste. Join us!
To support Rainforest Rescue’s mission and contribute to the protection of rainforests, we encourage everyone to visit their website and explore ways to get involved, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness.