Ringwood Koala Friendly Carbon Project

Ringwood Koala Friendly Carbon Project is an environmental planting project located at the "Ringwood" property near Uralla, approximately 40km west of Armidale in the New England region of New South Wales. It was registered in September 2024 and covers an area of 734.01ha.

Environmental planting projects involve establishing permanent plantings of a mix of native tree species, typically requiring a density of at least 200 stems per hectare to create robust forest cover. This project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) methodology, estimating carbon sequestration from new native forests on land that was previously cleared for agriculture.

The Northern Tablelands region is historically dominated by high-quality wool and beef cattle grazing operations. The local environment is characterized by a cool temperate climate with summer-dominant rainfall averaging between 700mm and 800mm annually, while winters are prone to heavy frosts. Soils in the Uralla and Bundarra districts are highly variable, often consisting of granites and trap rock, which are well-suited to support the native woodland ecosystems being restored.

Notably, this project acts as a flagship site for the "Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative," a partnership between the project developer, Climate Friendly, and WWF-Australia. The planting design incorporates over 20 diverse native species specifically selected to provide critical food and shelter for the endangered koala population, with a planting density well above the standard 200 stems per hectare requirement. By restoring this natural habitat and creating a biodiversity corridor, proponents Angelica Morse and James Smith are integrating deep conservation efforts alongside their existing grazing operations.