Yarrawonga Willara Forest Regeneration Project

Yarrawonga Willara Forest Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote Paroo region of far west New South Wales, approximately 55km north-east of the village of Wanaaring. Registered in September 2015, the project covers a substantial area of 27,466 hectares. The project area encompasses the pastoral properties known as Yarrawonga and Willara, which are situated within the catchments of the ephemeral Paroo River.

The region is defined by its semi-arid climate and rangeland environment, where the primary land use is extensive grazing of sheep, cattle, and goats. The landscape typically features red earth and sandy loam soils supporting Mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands and Poplar Box communities. Rainfall in this area is low and highly variable, averaging approximately 250-280mm annually, often occurring in erratic storm events followed by long dry periods.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating native forests on land where vegetation growth has been suppressed for at least 10 years, typically by livestock or feral animals. To generate credits, the project proponents engage in management activities such as rotational grazing, fencing to control livestock movement, and the humane management of feral goats. These actions reduce grazing pressure, allowing local native seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers already present in the soil, to germinate and grow into permanent forest cover.

An interesting aspect of this project is its location within the Unincorporated Far West Region of NSW, an area so remote it falls outside typical local government shire boundaries. Recent data releases indicate that of the total project area, approximately 16,700 hectares have been stratified as Carbon Estimation Areas (CEAs), which are the specific zones actively generating carbon abatement. The project is supported by carbon service provider Climate Friendly.