Western Australia Rangelands Conservation Initiative

Western Australia Rangelands Conservation Initiative is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located in the Murchison region of Western Australia, approximately 45km northeast of the township of Cue. It was registered in May 2018 and covers a substantial 97,906.05 hectares.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve establishing permanent native forests through assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers. To meet standard methodology requirements, this regeneration must occur on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been actively suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project's commencement.

The surrounding Murchison area is predominantly known for its large-scale pastoral operations, primarily running sheep and cattle across rangeland stations, as well as significant mining exploration. The regional environment is classified as arid to semi-arid, experiencing low and highly variable rainfall that averages between 200mm and 250mm annually. The soil profile generally consists of red sandy earths, shallow loams, and extensive red-brown hardpan plains.

This project was established to allow native vegetation, such as Mulga woodlands and Acacia shrublands, to naturally recover. To achieve this, project activities focus on managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals like goats. An interesting administrative note is that a project variation was applied in October 2020, where specific areas were removed, likely to refine the carbon estimation area and ensure strict compliance with the methodology. Furthermore, the project proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited, operates as a subsidiary of the GreenCollar Group, one of Australia's largest environmental market developers.