Runnymede Regeneration Project

Runnymede Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located at Runnymede Station near Coolabah, approximately 85km northwest of Nyngan in western NSW. It was registered in July 2014 and covers 8,305.75ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating native forests on previously cleared land by changing land management practices. For this methodology, standard requirements typically include ceasing the mechanical or chemical suppression of regrowth and actively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing to allow native trees to reach forest cover.

The Coolabah area is predominantly known for broadacre sheep and cattle grazing operations. The region is considered semi-arid with low, variable rainfall, and soils are generally red earths, sandy loams, and clay plains typical of the Cobar Peneplain.

This project establishes permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers. Interestingly, it was initially registered under the Avoided Deforestation method as the "Runnymede Native Forest Protection Project" before transitioning to the HIR method and updating its name in March 2015. It successfully fulfilled a Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC137406) with the Commonwealth in November 2023, and has recently been referenced in scientific studies analysing vegetation recovery and comparison areas in Australian carbon projects.