It is private enterprise alone which, by breeding, nurturing and selling the products of our spectacularly diverse and economically valuable Australian native species, will ensure the future survival of species and the habitats which protect them. Sadly, the system of government reserves, both present and those to be declared in the future, lacks the vital essence and spark which will ensure the survival of endangered species. By their very character, they are less able to promote the continued existence of rare species by other than passive means. It is now recognised that many rare and threatened species have great economic value. The timber, essential oil, natural alkaloid, bush food and ornamental horticulture industries have already initiated the retrieval of many plant species from the brink of extinction, without publicity or large-scale land reservation.
Financial reward is the initial reason for such retrieval projects.
This is done by breeding, cultivating and harvesting a profitable product. Excessive speculation of projected returns has been deliberately avoided as such figures are of little value unless they can be translated into reality. It appears to be quite certain that prices for timber and other forest products are set to rise and that demand for forest products will continue to exceed supply for the foreseeable future. The key issues a potential grower must consider are site, species, provenance and quality of planting stock, planning and preparation, silvicultural management, markets and end uses. The prospects for landowners to gain real returns from investment in timber crops are good and the linkage with the land in a long term venture provides another dimension to land management.