Nunyara Yandaroo Regeneration Project

Nunyara Yandaroo Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located approximately 60km west of Bourke in the outback region of New South Wales. It was registered in September 2023 and covers 7,256.22ha.

Human-Induced Regeneration projects involve changing land management practices to allow native forests to naturally regrow on land where human activity previously prevented or suppressed that regrowth. Standard requirements for this methodology involve halting clearing activities and actively managing threats to vegetation so the forest can reach a mature, even-aged canopy.

The Bourke region is historically known for pastoral land uses, primarily extensive cattle and sheep grazing. The area features a semi-arid climate with low and variable rainfall. Soils predominantly consist of Red Chromosols and Vertosols (cracking clays), which can be prone to structural decline if heavily degraded or overgrazed.

This project establishes permanent native forests by actively managing the timing and extent of livestock grazing, alongside the humane management of feral animals. An interesting feature of this project is its reliance on in-situ seed sources, including existing underground rootstock and lignotubers, rather than planting new seedlings. The land had previously been cleared of vegetation, and natural regrowth was continuously suppressed by livestock for at least 10 years prior to the project commencing.