Yielima Revegetation Project

The Yielima Revegetation Project is an environmental planting project located in the rural locality of Yielima, approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Nathalia in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria. Registered in February 2023, the project covers a substantial area of 203 hectares near the Murray River and the Barmah National Park. The proponent for this initiative is the Northern Connection Foundation Pty Ltd.

Operating under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM) Methodology, the project involves establishing permanent native forests on land previously used for agriculture. To meet the requirements of this methodology, the project must plant species native to the local area at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover, typically requiring a stocking density of at least 200 stems per hectare or a configuration that reaches 20% canopy cover and a height of 2 meters. The carbon sequestration is calculated using the FullCAM model, which accounts for the specific growth rates of the planted species in that location.

The region surrounding Yielima is part of the Shepparton Irrigation Region and the broader Riverine Plain, an area heavily utilized for cropping, grazing, and dairy farming. The environment is characterized by a temperate to semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 450mm. The soils in this area are generally described as riverine red-brown earths and grey clays (Sodosols and Vertosols), which are fertile but can be prone to texture contrast issues. The project likely aims to restore local biodiversity, potentially extending the habitat values of nearby remnants like the Yielima Bushland Reserve, which contains Plains Grassy Woodland vegetation.