Douglas Carbon Farming Project 1

Douglas Carbon Farming Project 1 is a Native Forest from Managed Regrowth (NFMR) project located in the Western Downs region of Queensland, approximately 60 kilometers east of St George and 50 kilometers west of Westmar. The project was registered on March 20, 2024, covering a significant area of 8,193 hectares. This registration date is notable as it occurred just 11 days before the NFMR methodology officially expired on March 31, 2024, making it one of the final projects established under this specific determination.

The project operates under the Native Forest from Managed Regrowth methodology, which differs from environmental planting by relying on assisted regeneration rather than active tree planting. The primary activity involves the cessation of mechanical or chemical clearing on land that was historically cleared for pastoral use. By suppressing clearing and managing grazing pressure (often through fencing or timing livestock movements), the project allows existing rootstock, lignotubers, and in-situ seed banks to regenerate into permanent native forest. To be eligible, the land must have the potential to attain "forest cover," defined as trees reaching at least 2 meters in height and 20% crown cover.

The surrounding region is characterized by a semi-arid, sub-tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 570mm, predominantly falling in summer. The land use in this area, part of the broader Brigalow Belt, is heavily focused on grazing for beef cattle and sheep, with some dryland cropping. The soils are typically fertile but reactive cracking clays (Vertosols) or texture-contrast soils (Chromosols), which historically supported dense Acacia (Brigalow) or Eucalypt (Poplar Box) forests before agricultural development.

The proponent, Terra Carbon Pty Limited, is a subsidiary of the GreenCollar Group, a major player in the Australian environmental markets. The project is designed to sequester carbon by restoring this native vegetation, which also provides co-benefits such as reduced salinity risk, improved biodiversity, and shelter for livestock.