Runnymede Regeneration Project

Runnymede Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the locality of Coolabah, approximately 85km northwest of Nyngan in New South Wales. Registered in July 2014, the project covers a substantial area of 8,305 hectares on Runnymede Station. The property is situated within the Bogan Shire, a region traditionally dominated by rangeland grazing for sheep and cattle, often on leasehold land.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. This method credits carbon sequestration achieved by regenerating native forests on land that has been historically cleared or suppressed. A key requirement of HIR is the cessation of mechanical clearing and the management of "suppressors", typically livestock or feral animals, to allow vegetation to recover. In this specific instance, the project activities focus on managing the timing and extent of grazing to facilitate the regrowth of permanent even-aged native forests.

Environmentally, the Coolabah and Nyngan region is characterized by a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) with variable rainfall averaging around 440mm annually. The landscape typically features flat to gently undulating plains with red earth and clay loam soils. The native vegetation in this area usually consists of bimble box (poplar box), mulga, and white cypress pine woodlands, which are resilient to the region's hot summers and cool winters.

An interesting aspect of the Runnymede Regeneration Project is its regulatory history. Originally, the project was registered under an "Avoided Deforestation" methodology, implying that the landholder held a valid clearing permit and intended to clear the forest for agriculture prior to the project's inception. In March 2015, the project formally varied its method to Human-Induced Regeneration and changed its name from "Runnymede Native Forest Protection Project" to its current title. This transition suggests a shift in management strategy from simply protecting existing forest to actively regenerating suppressed vegetation. The project was contracted under the Australian Government's emissions reduction schemes in April 2015, a contract which has since been completed.