Buckwaroon Native Forest Protection Project

Buckwaroon Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located in the Cobar local government area, approximately 700km northwest of Sydney in New South Wales. It was registered in June 2014 and covers 11,826.04 hectares.

Avoided deforestation projects involve protecting native forests from being cleared and the land from being converted to an agricultural system. To be eligible under this specific methodology, the land must have been issued a clearing permit prior to 1 July 2010. Carbon stock for this project is determined by using allometric equations applied to tree measurements collected through regular biomass surveys within the project area.

The Cobar region, situated on the Cobar Peneplain, is a semi-arid environment characterized by low rainfall. The soils are typically composed of red earth, sand, and loam. Regional land use is historically dominated by large-scale pastoral stations dedicated to grazing sheep and cattle, alongside significant regional copper and gold mining operations.

An interesting note regarding this project is its connection to active local conservation efforts. The area is home to the award-winning Buckwaroon Landcare Group, a passionate community organization run by local landholders. The group focuses on soil conservation, native vegetation management, and running educational "school days" on agricultural stations to keep local youth engaged in sustainable land management. Additionally, the project's Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) are contracted to the Commonwealth through Terra Carbon Pty Limited following an April 2015 auction, securing long-term financial viability for protecting the standing forest.