Native Conifer Carbon Sink Project 01

Native Conifer Carbon Sink Project 01 is an environmental planting project located near Ravenshoe in the Atherton Tablelands region of Far North Queensland. Registered in December 2012, the project covers approximately 36 hectares of land that was historically cleared for agriculture. The site sits within the Tablelands Regional Council area, roughly 100km southwest of Cairns, a region renowned for its high elevation and lush landscapes.

The project operates under the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) methodology for permanent environmental plantings. This involves establishing a mix of tree species native to the local area on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. Unlike many carbon projects that focus solely on eucalypts, this project specifically emphasises the restoration of rainforest ecosystems using "native conifers", likely species such as Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) or Kauri Pine (Agathis robusta), which are indigenous to these wet tropical highlands.

The Ravenshoe area is characterised by high rainfall and fertile volcanic (basalt) soils, conditions that historically supported dairy farming and timber operations before a shift toward grazing and conservation. This project represents a transition from disused pasture back to native forest cover. The proponent, Native Conifer Carbon Sink Pty Ltd, has been recognized in the sector for utilizing carbon finance to restore rainforest connectivity in the region, including partnerships with local government and the Queensland Land Restoration Fund to expand similar native pine plantings on former grazing properties.