Cookara Regeneration Project

The Cookara Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on Cookara Station, approximately 50km north of Eulo and 90km northwest of Cunnamulla in southwest Queensland. Registered in September 2020, the project spans approximately 29,220 hectares within the Paroo Shire. The region is part of the Mulga Lands bioregion, an area historically utilized for sheep and cattle grazing. The local environment is semi-arid, receiving an average annual rainfall of roughly 370mm, and is characterized by red kandosol soils (red earths) and sandy loams that support extensive mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve regenerating native forests by ceasing suppression activities such as mechanical clearing or chemical destruction, and managing grazing pressure to allow vegetation to recover. This specific project relies on assisted regeneration from in-situ seed sources, including rootstock and lignotubers, rather than active planting. To remain eligible, the area must not have had forest cover for the 10 years prior to the project's commencement.

Cookara Station is operated by Cookara Pastoral Pty Ltd, acting as a trustee for several family trusts including the Ian Kelly, Ian Wood, Kevin Clark, and Stephen Hogan trusts. The project is facilitated by Climate Friendly Pty Ltd and has secured a carbon abatement contract with the Australian Government for the optional delivery of over 130,000 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).