Uteara Regeneration Project

Uteara Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located on Uteara Station approximately 80km southwest of Bourke in the Western Division of New South Wales. It was registered in September 2015 and covers 17,687.44 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects establish permanent even-aged native forests by changing land management practices to allow suppressed trees to grow. Standard methodology requirements dictate the cessation of activities that suppress vegetation. For this project, regeneration is assisted from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was previously cleared and where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. This regeneration is achieved by actively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and through the humane management of feral animals.

The Bourke area is well-known for extensive pastoral operations, primarily sheep and cattle grazing. The region has a semi-arid outback climate with characteristically low rainfall, and local soils generally consist of red chromosols, sandy loams, and varying clay soils.

This project was established on a historic pastoral property to demonstrate how native forest regeneration can be successfully integrated alongside traditional agricultural land use. It is actively run by proponent Helen Jessie Parker with the support of major carbon agent Climate Friendly Pty Ltd.