Bundong Native Forest Protection Project

Bundong Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located at the 'Bundong' property near Coolabah, approximately 75km northwest of Nyngan in the Bogan Shire of New South Wales. It was registered in July 2014 and covers an expansive area of 8,191.54 hectares. The surrounding Central West plains region is predominantly used for agricultural purposes, particularly sheep and cattle grazing operations. The local environment is considered semi-arid, characterized by low and erratic rainfall. The soils in this region generally consist of deep alluvial cracking clays (Vertosols) and red earths, which are typical of the inland riverine floodplains and peneplains.

Avoided deforestation projects generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by protecting native forests that would have otherwise been permanently cleared and converted to agricultural systems, such as cropland or grassland. A strict standard requirement of the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology is that the landholder must hold a valid historical land clearing permit that was issued before 1 July 2010. By choosing not to clear the native forest, proponents prevent significant greenhouse gas emissions and maintain the carbon stored in the vegetation's biomass, which is quantified using allometric equations and biomass surveys across the project area.

An interesting note about this project is that the 'Bundong' property is operated by the Dunn family, who have a long and established history spanning over 30 years of breeding high-quality Merino sheep and commercial cattle in the district. In addition to their carbon sequestration efforts, the project proponents have actively participated in regional natural resource management programs. For instance, they received support from the Central West Catchment Management Authority to implement water-spreading techniques on their property, an innovative land management practice designed to slow rainwater flows, improve soil infiltration, and restore resilient native pastures. Furthermore, in May 2015, the project transitioned from the original 2013 methodology to the updated Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative - Avoided Deforestation 1.1) Methodology Determination 2015.