Darling River Eco Corridor #38

Darling River Eco Corridor #38 is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote Far West region of New South Wales, approximately 100km southeast of Wilcannia and 140km west of Cobar. Registered in May 2018, the project spans a significant area of 29,875 hectares. The property operates within the Central Darling Shire Council area, a region historically dominated by extensive rangeland grazing for sheep, cattle, and goats.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which involves regenerating permanent native forests on land where vegetation was previously suppressed. Rather than planting new trees, this method relies on assisting the regeneration of in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. Key activities for this project include managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing to allow vegetation to recover and controlling feral animals, such as goats, which are a major suppressor of regrowth in the region.

Environmentally, the site is situated in a semi-arid zone characterized by low and variable rainfall, typically averaging between 250mm and 350mm annually. The landscape features a mix of soil types typical of the Cobar Peneplain and Upper Darling catchments, including red sandy loams and red earths on the plains, with heavier clay vertosols present in the low-lying floodplains and claypans. These conditions support the regeneration of native woodland species, such as Mulga (Acacia aneura) and bimble box, when grazing pressure is reduced.

This project is part of a larger aggregation known as the "Darling River Eco Corridor," managed by Terra Carbon (a subsidiary of GreenCollar). A notable aspect of this specific project (Project #38) is its operation by landholders Andrew and Tayna Greenshields. The revenue generated from carbon credits has allowed them to invest in significant infrastructure upgrades, such as converting water pumps to solar energy and installing new fencing to support rotational grazing. The family has also reported biodiversity improvements, including increased sightings of native fauna like bearded dragons, and they actively participate in Ecosystem Management Understanding (EMU) groups to improve landscape rehydration.