Pattison Native Forest Protection Project

Pattison Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located approximately 35km east of Louth in western NSW. It was registered in December 2014 and covers 8,175.72ha.

Avoided deforestation projects prevent greenhouse gas emissions by protecting native forests from being cleared and converted to agricultural land. A standard requirement for this methodology is that the land must have had a historic land clearing permit issued prior to 1 July 2010. By not clearing the native forest, the project maintains carbon stocks which are measured through biomass surveys and allometric equations.

The Louth region is predominantly known for extensive sheep and cattle grazing operations. The area is characterised by a semi-arid climate with low rainfall, and soils are typically red earths, sandy loams, and clay plains.

Project funding has been used by the original landholder, Neil Clark, to upgrade farm infrastructure such as fencing and water points, manage business debt, and improve the management of feral animals. This has allowed for more sustainable stocking rates on the property, noticeably reducing topsoil loss and erosion. In February 2020, the project participant was formally varied from members of the Clark family to Terra Carbon Pty Limited, and the project transitioned to the updated 2015 Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology.