Ashwood Native Forest Protection Project

Ashwood Native Forest Protection Project is an Avoided Deforestation project located in the Western Division of New South Wales, approximately 90km north of Cobar and south of Bourke. Registered on June 30, 2014, the project encompasses a substantial area of 21,205 hectares. The surrounding region is predominantly defined by extensive rangeland grazing, where landholders typically manage sheep, cattle, and harvested feral goats on large pastoral stations.

The project operates under the Avoided Deforestation methodology, which is designed to protect native forests that hold a valid clearing permit issued prior to July 1, 2010. Standard requirements for this method involve the landholder legally surrendering their right to clear the forest for agricultural expansion (such as cropping or pasture improvement). By retaining the vegetation instead of clearing it, the project generates Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) equivalent to the avoided emissions.

Environmentally, the project is situated in a semi-arid climate zone, characterized by hot summers and low, variable rainfall averaging between 300mm and 390mm annually. The soil landscape in this part of the Cobar Peneplain typically consists of shallow red earths, lithosols, and sandy loams. These soils support resilient native vegetation communities, often dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura) and Bimble Box (Eucalyptus populnea), which are critical for soil stability in this dry environment.

An interesting note regarding the Ashwood project is its integration with the underlying farming business run by the Francisco family. According to case studies on the project, revenue generated from the carbon credits was utilized to fund significant infrastructure improvements, such as exclusion fencing to manage grazing pressure and reduce fire risks. This highlights a dual-benefit model where carbon finance supports the resilience of traditional agricultural operations during drought conditions. While the project lists Terra Carbon Pty Limited as a participant, it is widely cited in the portfolio of GreenCollar, a major environmental markets investor that acquired Terra Carbon.