Myroolia Human-Induced Regeneration Project

Myroolia Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a native forest regeneration project located on the pastoral property "Myroolia Station," approximately 125km northwest of Bourke in the Fords Bridge district of New South Wales. Registered in June 2015, the project covers a substantial area of 28,012 hectares within the Mulga Lands bioregion. The region is historically dominated by Western Division grazing leases, primarily utilised for Merino sheep and cattle operations, which characterizes the land use prior to and alongside the carbon project.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. Unlike environmental planting, HIR does not involve active tree planting. Instead, it relies on changes in land management, specifically the control of grazing timing and intensity, and the humane management of feral animals (such as goats), to allow suppressed native vegetation to regenerate naturally. The goal is for the vegetation to reach "forest cover" status, defined as 20% canopy cover at a height of 2 metres.

Environmentally, the Myroolia area is situated in a semi-arid zone with a landscape defined by undulating red earth soils and floodplains associated with the Warrego and Cuttaburra Creek systems. The soil profile ranges from soft red loams supporting Mulga (Acacia aneura) and Gidyea, to black soil country on the floodplains. The vegetation includes species such as Turpentine (Eremophila sturtii), Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa), and various Acacia species.

An interesting historical note is that Myroolia Station was originally part of the vast "Kerribree Station," which was famous in the 1880s for being the site of the first successful artesian bore in the area. The property was held by the Davis family for over 70 years before being sold in 2019. During the sale, the existing carbon project and its income stream were marketed as significant assets, highlighting the integration of carbon farming with traditional grazing in the region.