Darling River Eco Corridor #26

Darling River Eco Corridor #26 is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located approximately 115km west of Bourke in the outback of New South Wales [1][7]. It was registered in January 2017 and covers an extensive area of 24,209.16 hectares [1].

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects involve implementing new land management practices to allow native vegetation to regenerate and achieve mature forest cover. Standard requirements dictate that the target area must have the potential to reach a minimum of 20% crown cover and 2 meters in height. Additionally, project areas under this methodology must have been previously cleared, with natural regrowth suppressed by land use for at least 10 years prior to the project's commencement [1].

The Bourke region is classified as semi-arid, characterized by low annual rainfall and high summer temperatures. The predominant land use in this outback area is extensive pastoral farming, primarily grazing sheep, cattle, and goats on native vegetation. The local environment features soils that typically consist of red earths, sandy loams, and cracking grey clays commonly associated with the broader Darling Riverine Plains.

Managed by Terra Carbon Pty Limited, this project was established to create permanent, even-aged native forests [1][5]. To encourage assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, rootstocks, and lignotubers, the on-ground project activities focus on strictly managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing alongside the humane management of feral animals [1][8][9]. By strategically removing these vegetative suppressors, the project actively restores native canopy and shelters local biodiversity while generating carbon credits.