Darling River Conservation Initiative Site #7

Darling River Conservation Initiative Site #7 is a Human-Induced Regeneration project located at the 'Kulwin' property, situated among the undulating ridges of the Cobar Peneplain, approximately 130km southwest of Cobar and 100km northeast of Ivanhoe in New South Wales. It was registered in May 2019 and covers an initial area of 32,820.83ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) projects establish permanent, even-aged native forests on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been suppressed for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing. Standard requirements involve changing land management practices to allow in-situ seeds, rootstock, and lignotubers to regenerate. In this project, that means actively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing and humanely controlling feral animals.

The Cobar Peneplain area is semi-arid with low rainfall, characterized by its prominent red soils. The regional land use is heavily focused on pastoral operations, predominantly cattle and sheep grazing.

This project was established by proponent Terra Carbon Pty Limited, which operates as a subsidiary of the environmental market developer GreenCollar. Run in partnership with landholders who have operated the property as a sheep grazing enterprise since 2003, the initiative aims to reinstate native forests of Bimble Box, Coolabah, Rosewood, Punty Bush, and Hopbush. The regenerating forest is helping to stabilize soils, reduce topsoil disturbance, and improve water retention in local gullies. It also provides a sanctuary for native wildlife, becoming a haven for rare hopping mice, bush rats, carpet pythons, and bearded dragons. Additionally, an official variation in August 2021 saw specific areas formally removed from the project's original registered footprint.