Tolarno Station

Tolarno Station is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on a historic pastoral property along the Darling River, approximately 50km south of Menindee in far western New South Wales. Registered in September 2021, the project covers a substantial area of 98,383.87 hectares. The surrounding Central Darling region is characterized by remote, semi-arid outback landscapes predominantly used for large-scale pastoral grazing of Merino sheep and rangeland goats.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects aim to establish permanent even-aged native forests by assisting natural regeneration from in-situ seed sources, such as rootstock and lignotubers, on land that was previously cleared of vegetation and where regrowth has been suppressed for at least 10 years. To achieve forest cover, the methodology's standard requirements involve ceasing these suppressive activities. For Tolarno Station, the primary project activities involve carefully managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, as well as the humane management of feral animals to allow native vegetation to recover.

The region experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters, and highly variable, low annual rainfall averaging around 245mm. The local environment features red dirt, sand plains, and floodplains adjacent to the Darling River, supporting soil types like sandy loams and clay. These soils support native vegetation species such as spinifex, spear grass, belah, native pine, and mallee.

Tolarno Station is steeped in Australian outback history. Established in 1851, the massive property famously served as a gathering outpost for the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860 before they ventured northward. Currently owned by the McBride family, the station and its owners have recently gained national attention for their environmental advocacy regarding the Darling-Baaka River, particularly following the severe fish kills near Menindee. Originally registered under the name "AI Carbon No.3 NSW TS", the project's name was officially varied to "Tolarno Station" in July 2024, following an earlier 2023 variation that removed some areas from the project bounds.