Kaleno Human-Induced Regeneration Project

The Kaleno Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a native forest regeneration initiative located on Kaleno station, approximately 90km south-west of Cobar in the Cobar Peneplain region of New South Wales. Registered on June 24, 2015, the project operates over a project area of 32,878 hectares. The region is predominantly utilized for rangeland grazing, particularly for sheep, cattle, and goats, and is characterized by its semi-arid landscape and open woodlands.

This project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology, which credits landholders for regenerating permanent even-aged native forests where vegetation has previously been suppressed, typically by grazing. The core activity involves managing the timing and extent of grazing pressure from livestock and feral animals (specifically goats) to allow native species to regenerate from in-situ seed sources like rootstock and lignotubers. Unlike planting projects, HIR relies on the natural resilience of the landscape to recover forest cover once suppression is removed.

Environmentally, the Cobar Peneplain is a semi-arid zone with highly variable rainfall, averaging around 350mm to 390mm annually. The terrain at Kaleno consists of alluvial plains, highlands, and ridge country, featuring soils that are primarily red earths, loams, and skeletal lithosols on the ridges. The vegetation regenerating across the property includes native species such as Mulga (Acacia aneura), White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla), Turpentine (Eremophila sturtii), and Bimble Box (Eucalyptus populnea).

An interesting feature of the Kaleno property is that it hosts two distinct carbon projects; in addition to this HIR project, it also supports an Avoided Deforestation project (ERF101920). The project is owned by the Oliver family, who have utilized carbon revenue to fund significant infrastructure upgrades, including new fencing, yards, and firebreaks. These improvements have not only facilitated better carbon management but have also enhanced the property's agricultural operations and feral animal control efforts.