Bluesky Corridors Biodiversity Project

Bluesky Corridors Biodiversity Project is a significant environmental planting initiative located near the locality of Kulja, approximately 50 kilometers north of Koorda in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Registered in May 2020, the project spans a substantial area of 1,543 hectares. The project is situated within the Shire of Koorda, a region heavily characterized by broadacre dryland cropping (wheat and barley) and sheep grazing.

The project operates under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings" methodology. This involves establishing permanent native vegetation on land that was previously cleared for agriculture for at least five years. As a FullCAM-modelled project, it generates Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by sequestering carbon in trees and debris. The specific activities involve planting a mix of native species aimed at restoring biodiversity, rather than a monoculture plantation.

Environmentally, this area of the Northeastern Wheatbelt is semi-arid, receiving relatively low annual rainfall of approximately 300-320mm, predominantly in winter. The landscape typically features yellow sandplains and gravelly loams, which are often acidic and naturally low in nutrients. The integration of deep-rooted native trees in this landscape is often used to manage soil issues such as salinity and wind erosion, which are common challenges in the region.

A notable aspect of this project is its proponent, Bluesky Corridors Pty Ltd, which has been linked in regional planning documents and biodiversity studies to prominent local grain growers Bob and Amanda Nixon. The Nixons are well-known in the Australian agricultural sector for innovative farming practices and soil amelioration techniques. The project appears to be part of a broader trend in the WA Wheatbelt where large-scale revegetation is used to create "corridors" that connect fragmented remnant vegetation, supporting local wildlife while diversifying farm income.