Prince Regent NP - Savanna Burning Project

Prince Regent NP - Savanna Burning Project is a savanna fire management project located in the remote North Kimberley region of Western Australia. Situated within the boundaries of the Prince Regent National Park, the project area covers approximately 576,379 hectares. It is geographically isolated, lying roughly 280km northeast of Derby and 300km west of Wyndham/Kununurra, with no road access; the area is primarily reached by air or expedition cruise vessels. The project was registered in April 2016.

The project operates under the Savanna Fire Management methodology, specifically focusing on emissions abatement in the high rainfall zone (receiving over 1000mm annually). This involves conducting strategic "cool" burns during the early dry season to reduce the fuel load. By doing so, the project aims to prevent uncontrollable, high-intensity wildfires during the late dry season, which release significantly more greenhouse gases (methane and nitrous oxide) and damage biodiversity.

Prince Regent National Park is a pristine conservation reserve known for its rugged sandstone lithology and volcanic country, featuring basalt valleys and skeletal soils. The landscape is dominated by the Prince Regent River, which runs remarkably straight along a fault line. The region is a biodiversity hotspot, containing more than half of the Kimberley's known bird and mammal species. A historical point of interest within the park is the "Mermaid Tree," a boab tree inscribed by the crew of HMC Mermaid in 1820.

The project proponent is the Conservation and Land Management Executive Body (a statutory body associated with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions). The project previously held a Carbon Abatement Contract with the Australian Government, which was completed in September 2020.