Lady Elliot Island has come a long way from its barren past — but the journey isn’t over. With the Pisonia forest and coastal zones largely restored, the next chapter of the island’s recovery is focused on transforming degraded grasslands and weed-infested shrublands into resilient native habitats.

This vital work is guided by the Lady Elliot Island Ecosystem Resilience Plan, developed by the Reef Authority and implemented by Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, with support the Reef Authority. Although funding from the Reef Islands Initiative is concluding in 2025, momentum continues thanks to strong partnerships, passionate people, and science-led restoration strategies.

The island is now entering a dramatic new phase requiring adaptive management and new strategies — shifting from establishing canopy-forming forests to rebuilding open shrublands and native groundcover that support coastal birds, enrich biodiversity, and increase ecological resilience.