The Friends of Mary Cairncross Association (Inc.) is an incorporated environmental charitable organisation that supports Sunshine Coast Council in the management of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

Our principal purpose is the protection and enhancement of the natural environment of the reserve. This includes the dissemination of information, the provision of education, and the commissioning of research.

We do this via fundraising, which includes managing the retail section of the Rainforest Discovery Centre and stocking appropriate educational or promotional materials to inspire and educate. While most of our funds are derived from retail sales, we also apply for grants, maintain a Trust Fund for donations, and volunteer at community events.

Friends have been involved in the publication of two books:

The Magic of Mary Cairncross; a Celebration of Art and Nature
Birds of Mary Cairncross (2nd Edition)

Other projects have included:

After dark display in the Rainforest Discovery Centre
Laser pointers and jackets for volunteers
Support for flora, fauna and fungi surveys and research
Honours scholarships for research benefitting the reserve
Tree signage throughout the reserve
Audio research equipment to record the Coxen's Fig Parrot
The wildlife tunnel under Mountain View Road
The People of Mary project, celebrating the contribution volunteers make to Mary Cairncross.

Currently, we are working to meet the objectives of our three year strategic plan 2023-2026. Projects include working with the Council to strengthen biocontrols in the reserve by investigating the feasibility of the installation of a biosecurity station to:

Increase visitor compliance/use and reduce the likelihood of the spread of soil borne pathogens in the reserve.
Educate visitors of the role they play in the spread of pathogens and the negative effects of invasive pathogens on biodiversity.

We are also working with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Council, on a land mullet recovery program in the reserve.

Your support would be greatly appreciated to assist us in achieving our objectives.

What's in it for you?

We all wish to do our best for the natural environment. You'll meet some terrific like-minded people and gain satisfaction in knowing that you are "putting back" into the environment. Through Friends you can also have some input into where funding goes within the reserve and increase your knowledge through opportunities such as the regular presentations provided by specialist speakers at our meetings and events.

Membership

Your membership helps us to continue to maintain and develop this unique rainforest reserve as an asset to our community and the natural environment. Your involvement is greatly appreciated. Membership ($10 per year) is renewable annually by the end of October. Our general meetings are brief and we enjoy a topical speaker presentation at most meetings. See our calendar of events for the dates of meetings and guest speaker details.

Next event - A member-only Celebration in November 2025

If you would like to join the Friends and support Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, please complete an online membership form. Alternatively, download and fill out a paper membership form and drop it into the Rainforest Discovery Centre, or mail / email it to us at the address below.

Other ways to help

Besides membership, there are other ways in which people can assist Friends achieve its goals: Wills and bequests, sponsorships, donations, partnerships, grants, volunteering, community events. Donations are tax deductible.

Contact

Mail: P.O. Box 593, Maleny Qld 4552

Email: fmcasec@gmail.com

A blue triangle butterfly sits over the acronym FMCA and the words Friends of Mary Cairncross Assocation.

Stories from the forest exhibition