Dogwood Carbon Project

Dogwood Carbon Project is an aggregated environmental planting project operating across multiple properties in New South Wales and Queensland. The project sites are situated in two distinct regions: one hub is located near Cowra in the Central West region of NSW, approximately 300km west of Sydney, while the other sites are located in the Scenic Rim and Ipswich local government areas of Southeast Queensland, roughly 80-100km southwest of Brisbane. Registered in July 2015, the project covers a total area of approximately 1,318 hectares.

The project operates under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings" methodology, utilizing the FullCAM model to calculate carbon abatement. This involves establishing permanent plantings of native tree species on land that was historically cleared for agricultural use, primarily grazing and cropping, for at least five years prior to commencement. The methodology requires that the plantings have the potential to reach "forest cover" status, defined as achieving at least 20% crown cover and a height of 2 meters.

Given the geographic spread, the environmental conditions vary significantly across the project areas. The Cowra sites experience a temperate climate with rainfall averaging around 600mm-700mm annually, featuring soils typically characterized as red-brown earths and loams suitable for sheep and wheat farming. Conversely, the Southeast Queensland sites operate in a sub-tropical climate with higher rainfall (850mm-1000mm) and soils ranging from rich volcanic clays to alluvial types, traditionally supporting beef cattle and dairy operations.

An interesting aspect of the Dogwood Carbon Project is its focus on biodiversity co-benefits alongside carbon sequestration. Corporate reporting associated with the project highlights that 14 different native tree species were selected for planting, including the vulnerable Eucalyptus moluccana (Gum-topped Box). These specific plantings were designed to support local wildlife, notably acting as a food source for Koala populations in the region.