Gardiner Carbon Project

The Gardiner Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located in the Mansfield Shire, approximately 12 kilometers east of the township of Mansfield in Victoria. Registered in October 2020, the project covers a land area of roughly 491 hectares. The region is situated in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, an area predominantly utilized for agricultural grazing, specifically beef cattle and sheep production, as well as lifestyle farming properties.

This project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems) Methodology Determination 2018. As a measurement-based method, it requires the proponent to undertake baseline soil sampling to establish initial carbon stocks. Credits are subsequently issued based on measured increases in soil carbon over time, rather than modelled estimates. The project activities focus on altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing. By optimizing grazing pressure, the project aims to improve ground cover and root biomass, which drives the sequestration of atmospheric carbon into the soil profile.

The environmental context of the Mansfield region is favourable for soil carbon projects. The area typically experiences a high rainfall classification, with annual averages often ranging between 700mm and 900mm, supporting reliable pasture growth. The local soil composition generally consists of clay loams and sedimentary derived soils, which have a good capacity for holding organic carbon when managed regeneratively. The project is managed by Agriprove Solutions, a prominent developer in the Australian soil carbon sector known for utilizing digital soil mapping and testing technology to streamline the crediting process.