2022 Little Wattlebird Project

2022 Little Wattlebird Project is a plantation forestry project located across multiple regions in Tasmania, with various land parcels situated approximately 30km south of Burnie [1], 40km east of Hobart near Sorell [1], and several sites within a 30 to 70km radius of Launceston [1]. It was registered in December 2022 and covers a combined 1,956.68 ha.

Plantation Forestry projects under this methodology involve undertaking specific management actions, such as converting existing short-rotation plantation forests into long-rotation forests [1, 5]. Standard requirements for this activity dictate extending the growing period of the trees before clear-felling, allowing them to sequester significantly more atmospheric carbon over an extended timeframe before being commercially harvested for long-lived wood products [1, 5].

The surrounding Tasmanian regions are widely known for extensive commercial forestry, dairy farming, and livestock grazing. These coastal and inland locations typically fall under a high rainfall climate classification, which provides ideal growing conditions for plantations. The underlying soil types across these dispersed sites are highly fertile and supportive of intensive timber growth, largely comprising deep red ferrosols (particularly in the North West), as well as podzols and clay loams.

This project was established to maximize carbon sequestration while maintaining a commercially viable timber harvest [2, 5]. The project land is held by The Trust Company as trustee for the Tasmanian Forest Operating Sub Trust, which is managed by Forico, Tasmania's largest private forest and land management company [7, 8]. Additionally, the project underwent an official variation in December 2023 to amend the specific plantation areas listed under the project boundary.