Restoring Murray Woodlands 007 Biodiversity and Carbon Project

Restoring Murray Woodlands 007 Biodiversity and Carbon Project is an environmental planting project located at Savernake, approximately 30km north of the town of Mulwala in the Riverina region of New South Wales. Registered on August 1, 2024, the project covers a specific area of 8.98 hectares. It is part of a broader, first-of-its-kind initiative led by the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) called the "Restoring Murray Woodlands Biodiversity and Carbon Tender," which supports landholders in combining carbon farming with permanent biodiversity conservation.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM methodology. This involves establishing permanent plantings of mixed native tree and shrub species on land that was previously used for agricultural purposes, such as grazing or cropping, for at least five years. By entering this project, the proponent commits to maintaining the vegetation permanently, allowing it to sequester carbon dioxide while earning Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). The specific activities aim to mimic local woodland ecosystems, planting species such as White Box, Yellow Box, and Sandhill Pine to restore habitat connectivity.

The Savernake area is a traditional agricultural hub known for mixed farming operations, including winter cropping (wheat, canola) and livestock grazing. The region typically experiences a semi-arid to temperate climate with a mean annual rainfall of approximately 450-500mm. Soils in this vicinity often consist of Red Chromosols (red-brown earths) and sandy loams, particularly in areas supporting Sandhill Pine vegetation.

This project is managed by proponent Alexander Ian Sloane, a member of the family associated with the historic "Savernake Station." A key feature of this project is its dual focus on carbon and biodiversity; it is designed not just for sequestration but to create vital wildlife corridors for threatened species like the squirrel glider and superb parrot. The initiative represents a collaboration between private landholders, the NSW BCT, and partners such as Murray Native Seed Services.