Kaleno Human-Induced Regeneration Project

Kaleno Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located at Kaleno Station, approximately 85km southwest of Cobar in the Cobar Peneplain bioregion of New South Wales. It was registered in June 2015 and covers an area of 32,878.60 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources (such as rootstock and lignotubers) on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth had been actively suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project's commencement. This specific project achieves forest regrowth by managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and actively controlling feral animal populations in a humane manner.

The Cobar region's land use is primarily pastoral, historically focused on cattle and sheep grazing across open native woodlands. The local climate is considered semi-arid and experiences highly variable rainfall, with the area averaging a median annual rainfall of around 390mm. The environment consists of alluvial plains, highlands, and ridge country, featuring soils that are typically dominated by red earths with well-structured subsoils, loamy clays, and sandy loams.

Run by proponent Terra Carbon Pty Limited, the project is situated on Kaleno Station, which is managed by Pauline and Barry Oliver in partnership with project developer GreenCollar. An interesting fact about this project is that the carbon revenue has provided the landholders with the financial flexibility to invest in significant infrastructure upgrades, including extensive firebreak grading around the entire property perimeter, as well as fencing and yard improvements. Furthermore, intensive harvesting of feral goats on the property has led to a noticeable improvement in native ground cover and improved the health of native woody shrubs such as Hop Bush, Turpentine, and Budda.