Native Oat

Native Oat is a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 45km south-west of Jericho and 60km south-east of Barcaldine in the Central West region of Queensland. Registered on March 3, 2025, the project covers a substantial area of 1,514.93 hectares. The site sits within the Desert Uplands bioregion, an area characterized by open woodlands and native tussock grasslands, often utilized for cattle and sheep grazing.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method credits landholders for increasing soil organic carbon stocks through changes in land management. For Native Oat, the specific activities involve altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing. By implementing strategic grazing controls, such as time-controlled or rotational grazing, the project aims to retain higher levels of ground cover (specifically targeting native perennial grasses like the project's namesake, Native Oatgrass or Themeda avenacea) to improve soil health and sequester carbon.

Environmental conditions in this semi-arid region are typical of Central Queensland, with annual rainfall averaging roughly 500mm, predominantly falling in summer. The soils in the vicinity of the Alice River, which flows through the broader region, are often a mix of red earths (Kandosols) and grey or brown clays (Vertosols) on the floodplains. The presence of Themeda avenacea, a tall, warm-season perennial grass often found on creek lines and heavier soils, suggests the project area includes fertile, moisture-holding distinct from the lighter sandy soils of the surrounding uplands.

An interesting facet of this project is the proponent's naming convention. Naturebase Pty Ltd appears to have registered a portfolio of projects in this region on the same date (March 3, 2025), naming them after local native grass species such as "Wiregrass" and "Soft Spinifex." This highlights a specific focus on regenerating native pasture composition as a core driver for their carbon sequestration strategy.