Sherwood Regeneration Project

The Sherwood Regeneration Project is a Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) project located on the Sherwood pastoral station, approximately 25 kilometers east of Meekatharra in the Murchison region of Western Australia. Registered in September 2023, the project covers a substantial area of 176,059 hectares, encompassing nearly the entire pastoral lease. The region is primarily dedicated to rangeland grazing (cattle and sheep) and mining, serving as a key agricultural hub in the Mid West.

HIR projects of this nature focus on regenerating native forests on land where vegetation growth has been suppressed, typically by livestock or feral animals, for at least 10 years. By actively managing the timing and extent of grazing, the proponent aims to allow native species, predominantly Mulga (Acacia aneura), to regenerate from in-situ seed sources and rootstock until they achieve forest cover status.

The project is situated in an arid to semi-arid environment, characterized by irregular, low rainfall averaging between 200mm and 250mm annually. The landscape defines the local "Sherwood Land System," a specific rangeland classification featuring granite breakaways, kaolinitic footslopes, and red sandy earth plains. These soil types are naturally suited to supporting the Mulga shrublands and native grasses the project seeks to restore.

An interesting note is that the local land system classification, the "Sherwood System," shares its name with the station, highlighting the property's geological significance in the area. The project is managed by the Sherwood Station Pastoral Co (Nichols Family Trust) in partnership with carbon service provider Climate Friendly.