Narrandool Native Forest Protection Project

Narrandool Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located at Narrandool, approximately 25km northwest of Lightning Ridge in NSW. It was registered in March 2016 and covers an area of 4387.15ha.

Avoided deforestation projects involve protecting native forests from being permanently cleared and converted to cropland or grassland. Under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Avoided Deforestation 1.1) Methodology Determination 2015, projects must hold an existing clearing consent (permit) issued before 1 July 2010 and manage the forest to maintain or increase the carbon stored in the trees.

The Lightning Ridge region is predominantly known for sheep and cattle grazing, as well as significant opal mining operations. The area experiences a semi-arid rainfall classification, and the soils generally consist of heavy cracking clays (often referred to as black soils) and sandy loams on the ridges.

This project protects the native forest from being deforested and prevents the land from being converted to an agricultural system. As an interesting extra note, the proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited, secured a fixed-delivery Carbon Abatement Contract (CAC919698) with the Commonwealth in April 2016, committing to deliver 143,783 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) over the life of the project.