Snowy Mountains Forest Environmental Plantings Carbon Project #1

Snowy Mountains Forest Environmental Plantings Carbon Project #1 is an environmental planting project located roughly 25 kilometers northwest of the township of Delegate in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales. Registered in July 2024, the project covers approximately 181 hectares. The site sits within a broader estate managed by the proponent, Snowy Mountains Forests, which includes properties historically known as "Airlie Park" and "Iona." These properties were predominantly used for agriculture, specifically grazing, for at least five years prior to the project's commencement.

The project operates under the "Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings" methodology. This involves establishing permanent plantings of mixed native tree species at a density sufficient to achieve forest cover (typically at least 200 stems per hectare). Unlike commercial forestry plantations common in this area, these trees are not intended for harvest; their primary purpose is to sequester carbon and enhance local biodiversity. The project has a nominated permanence period of 25 years.

The surrounding region, situated near the Victorian border, is characterized by a cool-temperate climate with moderate to high rainfall, averaging between 650mm and 750mm annually. The landscape consists of rolling hills typical of the Monaro Tablelands, where soils are generally fertile clay loams or duplex soils derived from granite and sedimentary rock. While the wider region is a hub for softwood timber production (Pinus radiata), this specific project focuses on regenerating native vegetation, likely serving as a biodiversity corridor or conservation buffer within the proponent's larger forestry estate.