Dungarvan Human-Induced Regeneration Project

Dungarvan Human-Induced Regeneration Project is a human-induced regeneration project located on Dungarvan Station, approximately 140km northwest of Bourke and 50km northeast of Wanaaring in outback New South Wales. It was registered in July 2015 and covers an expansive 25,571.19 hectares.

Human-induced regeneration (HIR) projects involve restoring permanent even-aged native forests through assisted regeneration. This is achieved by ceasing activities that suppress tree growth, allowing native vegetation to regrow from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers. To meet standard methodology requirements, the project area must have had regrowth suppressed for at least 10 years prior to commencement and must be managed to eventually reach native forest cover standards, which typically require at least 20% crown cover and a minimum height of 2 metres.

The Bourke and Paroo region is historically known for large-scale broadacre pastoralism, primarily focusing on sheep and cattle grazing on native rangelands. The area is classified as semi-arid to arid, experiencing highly variable, boom-and-bust rainfall patterns. Soils in this outback environment are predominantly composed of red earths, sandy plains, and desert loams.

This project facilitates the establishment of permanent native forests by managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, as well as humanely controlling feral animals. Interestingly, carbon farming has offered valuable drought resilience for the station's operators, the Leigo family. By integrating regenerative grazing with the carbon project, the station has diversified its revenue and smoothed out the volatile income cycles of livestock production. Additionally, a CSIRO biodiversity report linked to the property has noted a significant increase in native fauna, with landholders reporting returning populations of native birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals such as the fat-tailed dunnart.