Long Swamp Native Forest Protection Project

Long Swamp Native Forest Protection Project is an avoided deforestation project located approximately 80km northeast of Walgett in New South Wales. It was registered in July 2020 and covers a total project area of 4,513.03 hectares.

Avoided deforestation projects operate under a methodology designed to protect native forests from being cleared and converted into agricultural systems, specifically applying to land where a valid land-clearing permit was issued prior to 1 July 2010. Emissions are avoided by retaining the forest, and carbon stocks are calculated through tree measurements and biomass surveys using allometric equations.

The Walgett region's land use is largely focused on sheep and cattle grazing, alongside dryland and irrigated cropping such as wheat and cotton. The surrounding environment is considered semi-arid, experiencing a relatively low average annual rainfall of approximately 440mm. The dominant soil types across these north-western plains include Vertosols (cracking clays) and Chromosols (texture-contrast soils).

This specific project is integrated into a sheep grazing enterprise run by a young farmer who purchased the Long Swamp property in 2019. By electing to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) instead of clearing the trees for grass pasture, the project provides a secondary, reliable income stream. This additional revenue drought-proofs the farm by building a financial buffer for dry periods, removing the economic pressure to overgraze the land. The project secures the protection of the native flora and fauna for a 100-year permanence period.