Uren Carbon Project

The Uren Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the locality of Myocum, approximately 5 kilometres south of Mullumbimby and 10 kilometres west of Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. Registered on May 31, 2022, the project covers a relatively compact area of 61.67 hectares, which is typical for the intensive grazing and mixed-farming landscape of the Byron Shire hinterland.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon Methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This methodology requires the proponent to measure baseline soil carbon levels using physical soil cores and then implement new management activities designed to increase those levels over time. For this specific project, the primary activity involves altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing. By optimising grazing pressure, the project aims to maintain better ground cover, encourage deeper root growth, and ultimately sequester more atmospheric carbon into the soil profile.

The Northern Rivers region is characterized by a subtropical climate with high rainfall (often exceeding 1,500mm annually) and lush vegetation. The soils in the Myocum area are generally fertile, often consisting of Red Ferrosols (volcanic clay loams) derived from the ancient Mount Warning volcano, or Kurosols and Dermosols in the lower-lying valley floors. These conditions are highly favourable for soil carbon projects, as moisture and biomass production are key drivers of sequestration.

The project is managed by AgriProve, Australia's leading soil carbon project developer. While 62 hectares is smaller than the vast rangeland projects found in the outback, it highlights the viability of carbon farming in high-rainfall, intensive agricultural zones where soil potential is high. The "Uren" name likely refers to the landholder or family farm participating in the scheme.