Wapweelah Regeneration Project

The Wapweelah Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Wapweelah Station, approximately 120km north-west of Bourke in the far north of New South Wales. Registered in August 2015, the project covers a substantial area of 24,806 hectares. The property is situated near the town of Enngonia, close to the Queensland border, a region defined by its vast rangelands.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects differ from tree planting initiatives; instead of planting seedlings, landholders manage the land to allow existing native seed banks to recover. This methodology requires the land to have been subject to suppression activities, such as mechanical clearing or heavy grazing, for at least 10 years prior to the project. By controlling feral animals and managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, the project facilitates the natural regeneration of native forest cover.

The surrounding landscape falls within the Mulga Lands bioregion, characterized by a semi-arid climate with low, variable rainfall. The terrain typically consists of massive red earth soils and sandy loams, supporting vegetation dominated by Mulga (*Acacia aneura*) and various Eremophila species. The area is primarily used for extensive sheep and cattle grazing.

An interesting historical note is that Wapweelah Station has a long-standing pastoral heritage, with station records held in the Noel Butlin Archives at the Australian National University dating back to 1881. The carbon project is managed by proponent Phillip Hugh Ridge in partnership with service provider Climate Friendly Pty Ltd.