'Lower Lila Native Forest Protection Project

Lower Lila Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located on Lower Lila Station, approximately 50km north-west of Bourke in New South Wales, near the edge of the Warrego River. It was registered in December 2019 and covers a project area of 22,112.84 ha.

Avoided deforestation projects involve protecting native forest from being cleared and converted into an agricultural system. To meet the standard requirements of this methodology, the landholder must have held an active clearing permit or consent issued prior to 1 July 2010, which they formally agree to forego in order to permanently retain the native forest.

The Bourke area is heavily established in traditional sheep and cattle grazing operations. The regional environment is classified as semi-arid with low average rainfall, and local soils generally consist of red earths and alluvial clays.

This project is actively managed alongside a long-standing Merino sheep enterprise that has been operating for nearly 30 years. By protecting native vegetation such as Mulga, Coolibah, and Bimble Box, the project provides a safe habitat for local wildlife, with the landholder reporting increased sightings of geckos, dunnarts, and bustards. The revenue generated from the carbon credits is reinvested into the property to upgrade infrastructure, improve fencing and waterpoints, and create local employment. Additionally, corporations such as Protecht Group have purchased offsets from the Lower Lila project to help achieve their Climate Active carbon neutral certification.