'Conlea Native Forest Protection Project

Conlea Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located at "Conlea" station, approximately 130km west of Bourke and 55km southeast of Wanaaring in the Far West region of New South Wales. It was registered in May 2018 and covers an expansive 32,376.03 hectares.

Avoided deforestation projects protect native forests from being cleared for agricultural purposes. Under the Carbon Farming Initiative, Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology, these projects must occur on land where a valid clearing consent or permit was issued prior to 1 July 2010. By choosing to forego this right to clear the land, proponents avoid the greenhouse gas emissions that would have otherwise resulted from the deforestation.

The area around Bourke and Wanaaring is known for large pastoral leases typically used for sheep and cattle grazing. The region is classified as semi-arid to arid, experiencing very low and erratic annual rainfall averaging between 200mm to 400mm. The soils vary from deep sandy loams and red earths on undulating sandplains to heavy cracking clays on the floodplains.

Situated within the Mulga Lands bioregion, the property consists of flat red country with sandy rises, ridges, swamps, and creeks. Dominant plant species observed on the site include Eremophila sturtii, Dodonaea viscosa, Senna artemisioides, and Acacia cambagei. Landowner Peter Johnston noted that without the carbon project, he likely would have continued clearing the native forest for his cattle grazing enterprise. Project partner GreenCollar has worked closely with the land managers, and the generated Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) have been actively utilised by businesses, such as Brand Architects, to achieve Climate Active carbon-neutral certification.