Cooksvale East Reforestation Project

Cooksvale East Reforestation Project is an environmental planting project located in the locality of Cooksvale, approximately 25km north of the town of Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Registered in May 2025, the project covers approximately 222 hectares of land in the Upper Lachlan Shire. The region is traditionally characterized by grazing, particularly for fine wool and cattle, and seed potato production, supported by a temperate climate and relatively reliable rainfall.

The project operates under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) 2024 methodology. This involves establishing permanent forest cover by planting a mix of native tree and shrub species indigenous to the local area. Unlike commercial forestry, these plantings are not intended for harvest; instead, they are designed to sequester carbon, improve biodiversity, and offer shelter for livestock. To meet the definition of "forest cover" under the scheme, the planting must have the potential to reach a height of at least two metres and achieve a crown cover of at least 20% across the area.

Environmentally, the Cooksvale area typically experiences a cool temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 800mm. The terrain often features texture-contrast soils, known as Chromosols, which consist of a loamy topsoil overlying a clay subsoil.

An interesting aspect of this project is its connection to a broader portfolio of regeneration works in the area. Public records indicate the existence of sibling projects, including "Cooksvale West" and the "Cooksvale Reforestation Project," suggesting a coordinated landscape-scale effort. The project proponent also underwent a variation in late 2025, shifting from Fresh Earth Agriculture Pty Ltd to The Trustee for REDHILL TRUST.