Drumin Farm Eucalypt Woodlands Project

Drumin Farm Eucalypt Woodlands Project is an environmental planting project located at "Drumin Farm," approximately 10 kilometers north of the town of Koorda in the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Registered in March 2023, the project covers 1,213 hectares of land that was previously used for extensive agriculture, specifically dryland cropping and grazing. The property itself holds historical significance in the region, having been named in the early 20th century by James McCallum Smith, a prominent newspaper proprietor and politician, after a property in Scotland.

The project operates under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings" methodology. This involves establishing permanent forest cover using species native to the local area, such as Eucalyptus loxophleba (York Gum) and Eucalyptus salmonophloia (Salmon Gum). Unlike commercial forestry, these trees are not intended for harvest; instead, they are planted to sequester carbon and restore local biodiversity. The planting density typically meets specific woodland standards to ensure canopy cover and survival in the harsh local conditions.

The Koorda region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with low winter-dominant rainfall (typically under 350mm annually). The soils in this part of the Wheatbelt are often sandy loams or duplex soils, which can be susceptible to wind erosion and salinity, issues that permanent deep-rooted vegetation helps to mitigate. The transition of this land from traditional farming to a carbon "tree farm" required specific development approval from the Shire of Koorda, reflecting the growing intersection of agriculture and carbon farming in the district.