Central Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (CALFA) Project

The Central Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (CALFA) Project is a significant Savanna Fire Management project located across a vast region of Central Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. The project area spans over 2.5 million hectares, roughly equivalent to the size of a small country, with its northern boundary near the community of Maningrida and extending inland towards Bulman and the Arafura Swamp. Registered in December 2014, the project operates on Aboriginal freehold land, primarily focused on conservation, traditional land management, and cultural maintenance rather than commercial agriculture.

Savanna Fire Management projects in this region involve strategic "cool" burning during the early dry season (typically April to July). By deliberately burning mosaic patterns when vegetation is still moist, rangers reduce the fuel load that would otherwise feed uncontrollable, high-intensity wildfires during the late dry season. This methodology significantly reduces emissions of methane and nitrous oxide and protects biodiversity.

The project is situated in the high rainfall zone of the tropical savannas, experiencing distinct wet and dry seasons. The landscape is diverse, featuring the rugged sandstone escarpments of the Arnhem Plateau, expansive floodplains, and eucalypt woodlands. Soils in the region are predominantly sandy red and yellow earths, with shallow, rocky soils (lithosols) found on the plateau and heavy clays on the coastal floodplains.

An interesting aspect of CALFA is its collaborative structure. It is managed by ALFA (NT) Limited, an Aboriginal-owned, not-for-profit company that coordinates carbon activities for Traditional Owners. The on-ground operations are delivered by several ranger groups, including the Mimal Rangers, Bawinanga Rangers, and the Arafura Swamp Rangers. The project was formerly known as West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Stage 2 (WALFA2) before being renamed, highlighting its evolution from the pioneering WALFA project which helped establish the savanna burning carbon industry in Australia.