Long Swamp Native Forest Protection Project

The Long Swamp Native Forest Protection Project is an Avoided Deforestation project located approximately 20km northwest of Collarenebri in the Walgett Shire of New South Wales. Registered in July 2020, the project encompasses 4,513 hectares of native woodland on the "Long Swamp" property, which features frontage to the Barwon River.

The project operates under the Avoided Deforestation 1.1 methodology, a specific framework designed for landholders who hold a distinct clearing permit (specifically an Invasive Native Scrub Property Vegetation Plan) issued before 1 July 2010. By surrendering the legal right to clear this land for agriculture, the proponent protects the standing carbon stock. In this specific case, the project prevents the conversion of native forest into a cropping or intensive grazing system, thereby generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for the avoided emissions.

The region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with hot summers and variable rainfall. The landscape supports sheep and cattle grazing, with soils in the area typically consisting of red and grey cracking clays (Vertosols) common to the Barwon-Darling floodplains. The vegetation protected by this project includes species such as Brigalow, Belah, Coolibah, and Box woodlands. Interestingly, the property was purchased in 2019 by a young farmer who utilized the carbon project to "drought-proof" the enterprise, allowing him to reduce stocking pressure and maintain the native timber rather than clearing it for pasture.