Kaleno Human-Induced Regeneration Project

The Kaleno Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a large-scale regeneration initiative located at Kaleno Station, approximately 95km southwest of Cobar in the remote Central West region of New South Wales. Registered in June 2015, the project covers a substantial area of 32,878 hectares within the Cobar Peneplain bioregion. This region is historically characterized by rangeland grazing, specifically for sheep and goats, as well as nearby copper mining operations.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology, which focuses on regenerating permanent native forests by suppressing activities that prevent growth. In this specific context, the project manages the timing and extent of grazing and actively controls feral animals, likely goats, which are prevalent in the Cobar shire and aggressively consume young woody vegetation. By removing these suppression pressure, native species such as mulga, poplar box, and white cypress pine are able to regenerate from in-situ seed sources, rootstock, and lignotubers.

Environmentally, the site sits within a semi-arid climate zone with hot summers and mild winters. The rainfall is variable, averaging around 370-390mm annually, and is often non-seasonal, meaning it can occur in summer or winter depending on climatic drivers. The soils in this area are typically red earths and lithosols (skeletal soils) characteristic of the undulating ridges and plains of the "red dirt" country of western NSW.

An interesting facet of this project is its corporate structure; the proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GreenCollar, a major player in the Australian carbon market. The project has also been integrated into modern fintech solutions; it was cited as one of the offset initiatives supporting "Sphere," an AI-driven carbon footprint tracking tool for banking consumers. Additionally, Kaleno Station holds historical significance, with records of the property and its station life dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.