Lower Lila Native Forest Protection Project

The Lower Lila Native Forest Protection Project (ERF140014) is an Avoided Deforestation project located at Lower Lila Station, approximately 50km north-west of Bourke in New South Wales. Registered in December 2019, the project covers a significant area of 22,112 hectares within the Mulga Lands bioregion. The property is situated near the Warrego River and is traditionally used for grazing, specifically supporting a Merino sheep enterprise, as well as cattle and goats.

This project operates under the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology, which targets native forest areas that hold a government clearing permit issued prior to July 1, 2010. By voluntarily forfeiting the right to clear this land for agriculture (such as cropping or simplified grazing), the project prevents the release of stored carbon into the atmosphere. The methodology requires the landholder to manage the forest to maintain carbon stocks and suppress threats like wildfire or feral animals.

The environment in this region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with low, variable rainfall. The landscape typically features red earth and clay soils that support resilient native vegetation, including Mulga, Coolibah, Bimble Box, and Turpentine. The project is integrated with the station's commercial operations, allowing the landholder, Heather Cameron, to utilize carbon revenue for infrastructure upgrades such as fencing and water points, which assists in managing grazing pressure and protecting local wildlife habitats for species like the Dunnart and Bustard.