Students Visit Mossman Botanic Garden

James Cook University (JCU) 2025 cohort of Master of Global Development (MGD) students visited Mossman recently to observe and engage with a community in transition from sugar to a modern green economy based on ecotourism, high-end horticulture and green technology, supported by the Mossman Botanic Garden (MBG), a large development project in the heart of Mossman that is central to the region’s transition, with multiple partners and stakeholders.

As part of their “Sustainable Development in a Global World” subject, the Global Development students, from Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, Tuvalu, the USA and Australia, participate in this valuable experience. Some external students also travelled from Townsville and Byron Bay in Northern NSW, to participate in the fieldtrip. The trip was led by MGD Course Coordinator and The Cairns Institute (TCI) Fellow, Dr. Zoe Wang, who provided insights based on her experience of the ways in which sugar infrastructure in her native Taiwan had been repurposed when the industry there declined.

The visit was organised by MBG CEO Mrs Nicky Swan and MBG Director and TCI Adjunct Research Associate Simon Towle with support from the Douglas Shire Council, Rain Forest Rescue, Climate Force and Jabalbina. JCU’s College of Arts, Society and Education (CASE) provided funding for this fieldtrip.

The field trip began with a visit to the Mossman Botanic Garden, where students met Ariel Simon, Land Manager for the forest regeneration organisation Rainforest Rescue, which supplied 4,000 trees for the project. Ariel described how Rainforest Rescue staff and volunteers, together with the Mossman community and the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners, guided the planting and maintenance to ensure the young rainforest’s success.

Despite some losses from Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023—which brought over 3.2 metres of rain in a week—the forest planted in early 2023 now stands around four metres high, forming a growing canopy that naturally suppresses weeds.
Students explored the Mini Rainforest, the Garden of Woven Memories, and the Circle of Plenty community food garden, exchanging stories and knowledge about the plants. This interaction demonstrated how people connect with one another and with nature through shared experiences. The group then visited the Mossman Sugar Mill, which closed in March 2024 after 127 years of operation due to financial strain, volatile sugarcane supply, and a failed transition toward renewable energy production.

At the Douglas Shire Council Chambers, students were welcomed by Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, who discussed the mill’s closure and its local economic and social impacts. Paul Smyth, Team Leader for Economic Development, offered further technical insight. 
Later, Tom O’Rourke from Climate Force presented on integrating AI with biological solutions to restore ecosystems and improve food systems through regenerative agriculture. 

MBG CEO Nicky Swan and Director Simon Towle shared updates on partnerships, funding applications, and educational collaborations with local schools, TAFE Queensland, and The Cairns Institute.

Students concluded by reflecting on ways to enhance visitor engagement at the MBG. Many expressed appreciations for the hands-on learning experience, describing it as inspiring, insightful, and deeply meaningful—a reminder of how place-based learning connects culture, community, and sustainability. 
Mrs Boio Feo (PNG), ‘a different learning experience, more engaged, real-life exposure, experiencing the Mossman Botanical Garden development firsthand in its very early stages and its integration of cultural knowledge and environmental sustainability practice…It surely reminded me of similar challenges that are faced in PNG, where balancing development and cultural values is also essential.’
Dr. Api Faaalo (Tuvalu), ‘I really enjoyed it and found it very insightful and for the lack of a better word, enlightening on how a small development idea can spark enthusiasm, and bring about amazing change.’

Ms Francesca Hart (NSW) ‘I really did find it inspiring! I've done a lot of volunteer work in my time, and particularly in this geopolitical context I can feel a bit jaded. It was wonderful to feel reinvigorated about what important work can be achieved with enough will, collaboration, skills and experience, when passionate people are involved. Getting an idea of the breadth of stakeholders involved and the multi-dimensional opportunities the botanic gardens present for them all was so interesting and exciting.’

November 2025

Image (l-r): Simon, Zoe, Boio (PNG), Francesca (NSW), Purba, Tom O'Rourke (ClimateForce), Api (Tuvalu), Emily, Anneka, Nicky and Rhiannon. Credit: S.Towle.