Wilyun Pools Environmental Plantings Project

Wilyun Pools Environmental Plantings Project is a biodiverse reforestation initiative located in the Wellstead district, approximately 100km northeast of Albany in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Registered in July 2024, the project covers approximately 119 hectares of land that was historically cleared for agriculture in the 1960s. The surrounding region is predominantly used for broadacre farming, particularly sheep grazing and cropping, and is situated within the ecological transition zone often referred to as "Mallee country."

The project operates under the Environmental Plantings methodology, which involves establishing permanent forests of native species on land that has been clear of forest cover for at least five years. This specific project utilizes a "direct seeding" approach to plant a diverse mix of native vegetation, including eucalypts, melaleucas, and banksias, aimed at restoring wildlife corridors and connecting remnant vegetation patches. The planting density is designed to meet forest cover definitions while enhancing local biodiversity.

Environmentally, the site sits within a global biodiversity hotspot known as the South West Floristic Region. The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by cool, wet winters and dry summers, with rainfall varying significantly between years. The soils are typical of the region's Kwongan shrublands, generally consisting of nutrient-poor sandy loams, gravels, and duplex soils (sand over clay), which support specific ecological communities like Yate wetlands.

A notable aspect of the Wilyun Pools project is its high-profile collaborative model involving Carbon Neutral Pty Ltd, Wollemi Capital, and the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories group. The project includes a pathway for the Indigenous group to assume ownership of the land over time. The property’s previous owners, Sylvia Leighton and Peter McKenzie, were awarded the Australian Government Landcare Farming Award in 2022 for their work in integrating conservation with agriculture on the site.