Darling River Eco Corridor #38

Darling River Eco Corridor #38 is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 100km east of Wilcannia in the remote Far West region of New South Wales. It was registered in May 2018 and covers a project area of 29,875 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests by making changes to land management practices. This methodology relies on assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth was suppressed for at least 10 years. In this project, regeneration is achieved by managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and carrying out the humane management of feral animals.

The Far West region around Wilcannia is primarily used for extensive pastoral operations, namely sheep and cattle grazing. The environment is classified as semi-arid, experiencing low, highly variable rainfall and frequent severe droughts. The soils in this area generally consist of red earths, sandy loams, and clay plains typical of the Darling Riverine plains.

This project has brought notable benefits to the local landholders, the Greensheilds family. The alternative income stream has built crucial drought resilience, acting as their primary source of income during recent harsh conditions and allowing them to reinvest in their grazing enterprise. Project funding was used to transition almost all water pumps to solar energy, install new fencing to divide paddocks for rotational grazing, and set up new water points in every paddock to better utilize feed. Additionally, as the suppressed native vegetation has begun to successfully regenerate, the property has seen an an increase in local wildlife, including a significant rise in the local bearded dragon population.