Darling River Eco Corridor #39

Darling River Eco Corridor #39 is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located in the remote Unincorporated Far West Region of New South Wales, approximately 75km northwest of the opal-mining town of White Cliffs. Registered in May 2018, the project covers a significant expanse of 23,555 hectares. The area is situated within the rangelands of the Western Division, a region traditionally utilized for extensive grazing of sheep, goats, and cattle on large pastoral stations.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration methodology, which differs from environmental planting by focusing on assisting the natural regeneration of native forests rather than planting new seedlings. The primary activity involves managing "suppressors", factors that prevent regrowth, such as uncontrolled grazing by livestock and feral animals (particularly goats). By managing the timing and extent of grazing, the project allows existing in-situ seed banks, rootstock, and lignotubers to regenerate into permanent native forest cover.

The environmental conditions in this region are semi-arid to arid, characterized by low and erratic rainfall averaging between 200mm and 250mm annually. The landscape typically features red sandy loam soils (Kandosols) and dunefields, which support vegetation communities dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura), Bimble Box, and various chenopod shrublands (saltbush and bluebush). In lower-lying floodplain areas, clay-heavy Vertosols may be present.

This project is part of a larger aggregation known as the "Darling River Eco Corridor," managed by the proponent Terra Carbon (a subsidiary of GreenCollar). This landscape-scale initiative aims to create a contiguous zone of protected vegetation in the upper catchments of the Darling River system, enhancing biodiversity connectivity while providing landholders with a diversified income stream through carbon credits.