Muella Native Forest Protection Project

Muella Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located at Muella Station, roughly 130km northwest of Bourke in NSW. It was registered in April 2015 and covers an area of 13,837.90 hectares. The surrounding Paroo lowlands region is predominantly known for its pastoral grazing operations, particularly sheep and goat farming. The area is considered semi-arid, experiencing low rainfall, and the local soils generally consist of red earths, sandy loams, and claypans interspersed with intermittent treed swamps.

Avoided deforestation projects prevent the release of carbon emissions by ensuring that native forests are not cleared for agricultural expansion. To meet the standard requirements of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Avoided Deforestation 1.1) Methodology Determination 2015, the project area must be tied to an active clearing permit that was issued before 1 July 2010. By legally preventing this land conversion, the native vegetation is maintained and its stored carbon is protected.

This project was established to protect the native forest from being deforested and converted into an agricultural system. Interestingly, the Baty family, who are the project proponents residing on Muella Station, have been noted in local media for running goats on the property and using feral donkeys as guardian animals to protect their livestock from wild dogs. The project has seen a few administrative updates over its life, including a method variation in August 2015 which transitioned it from the 2013 determination to the 2015 methodology. Additionally, its associated long-term carbon abatement contract (CAC747965) was successfully completed on 31 July 2026.