Far West Native Forest Protection Project

The Far West Native Forest Protection Project (ERF111260) is an avoided deforestation project located approximately 25 kilometers north-west of Lightning Ridge in northern New South Wales. Registered in March 2017, the project encompasses a significant area of 6,781 hectares within the Walgett Shire. This region is geographically distinct, situated near the boundary of the state's agricultural cropping zones and the pastoral rangelands of the Far West.

The project operates under the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology, a framework designed to prevent the clearing of native forest on land that holds a historical clearing permit issued prior to July 1, 2010. By surrendering the right to clear this vegetation for agricultural use, typically for converting forest into cropland or improved pasture, the project generates carbon credits based on the emissions that are avoided. This methodology requires the proponent to maintain the forest in its natural state, ensuring the carbon stored in the trees remains sequestered rather than being released into the atmosphere through burning or decomposition.

Environmentally, the project area lies within a hot semi-arid climate zone, characterized by hot summers and an average annual rainfall of approximately 470mm. The landscape in this part of the Walgett Shire often features a mix of grey cracking clay soils (Vertosols) on floodplains and gravelly ridge soils. The vegetation protected by this project likely consists of native species common to the region, such as Mulga, Coolibah, and Bimble Box woodlands, which support local biodiversity in an area heavily utilised for grazing and opal mining.