Box-Gum Grassy Woodland for Threatened Species of the Nandewar Bioregion

Box-Gum Grassy Woodland for Threatened Species of the Nandewar Bioregion (Project ERF168508) is a dedicated environmental planting project located on the property "Wilga Park," approximately 25 kilometers northeast of the town of Texas, Queensland. While the project is situated within the Goondiwindi Regional Council area, it falls ecologically within the northern extent of the Nandewar Bioregion. Registered in November 2021, the project covers 381.5 hectares of land that was historically used for sheep grazing, which had resulted in significant soil and vegetation degradation prior to the project's commencement.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings methodology. This involves establishing permanent native forests on land that has been clear of forest cover for at least five years. The specific goal of this project is to restore the critically endangered "White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland" ecological community. By planting a mix of native local species, the proponent aims to sequester carbon in the growing biomass while simultaneously repairing the landscape to support biodiversity.

Environmentally, the region typically experiences a sub-tropical to semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 600mm-700mm. The soils in this specific locality, often associated with traprock or alluvial formations near the Dumaresq River catchment, are capable of supporting rich woodland ecosystems but are vulnerable to erosion when over-grazed. The restoration work is designed to improve landscape connectivity, linking lowland production areas with adjacent upland remnant vegetation.

A notable feature of this project is its recognition as a premium carbon project with verified co-benefits. It is a recipient of funding from the Queensland Government’s Land Restoration Fund (LRF) and has been certified under the "Accounting for Nature" framework. This certification validates that the project is successfully delivering habitat for threatened species such as the squatter pigeon, painted honeyeater, and diamond firetail, making it a high-profile example of integrating carbon farming with biodiversity recovery.