Greening Australia and Canopy Nature Based Solutions: SA Reforestation Program 2024

Greening Australia and Canopy Nature Based Solutions: SA Reforestation Program 2024 is an environmental planting project located in the Karoonda East Murray and Coorong district areas, approximately 150 km southeast of Adelaide in South Australia. It was registered in April 2024 and covers a project area of 980.45 hectares.

Environmental planting projects involve establishing permanent plantings of native tree and shrub species. Under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings methodology, these trees must be planted at a sufficient density to ultimately reach a minimum of 2 metres in height and provide at least 20% crown cover across the land. For this project, a mix of species native to the local area is being used.

The surrounding Karoonda and Coorong region is predominantly utilized for dryland agriculture, specifically broadacre cereal cropping (such as wheat and barley) and wool and livestock production. The environmental conditions in this part of South Australia are semi-arid, characterized by low average annual rainfall (typically between 310–360 mm). The local soils are largely made up of sandy dunes, swales, and calcarosols (calcareous loams).

This project establishes permanent plantings on land that was heavily used for agricultural purposes for at least five years prior to commencement. The proponent, Canopy Nature Based Solutions, is a for-purpose subsidiary of Greening Australia that focuses on science-led ecosystem restoration and generating high-integrity environmental credits. In drought-prone farming regions like the Mallee and Murraylands, introducing these native plantings and carbon shelterbelts helps combat wind erosion, offers crucial shelter for livestock, and provides alternative revenue streams for local farmers during increasingly frequent dry seasons.