Gilgal Environmental Planting Project

The Gilgal Environmental Planting Project is a reforestation initiative located on the historic 'Gilgal' pastoral station, approximately 11km south of Cootamundra in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales. Registered in September 2024, the project covers approximately 197 hectares of land that was previously dedicated to agricultural use. The property itself is a well-known local holding, having been operated as a large-scale mixed farming enterprise producing prime lamb, beef, and crops for over a century before changing hands in recent years.

The project operates under the Environmental Planting methodology, which involves establishing permanent native forest cover on land that has been clear of forest for at least five years. The planting will consist of mixed native species indigenous to the local area, designed to sequester carbon while potentially offering co-benefits such as shelter for livestock and improved biodiversity.

The surrounding environment in the Cootamundra district typically experiences a temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 600mm. The terrain is characterized by undulating hills and creek flats, with soils varying from friable red loams (Red Chromosols) in arable areas to brown granites in the steeper grazing country. These fertile soils have historically supported intensive grazing and cropping, making the reintegration of native vegetation a significant step towards regenerative land management. The project lists Sara Schmude as a participant, a known specialist in natural capital and regenerative agriculture, suggesting the project may be part of a broader strategy to integrate carbon farming with sustainable grazing practices.