The Sisters Grassy Woodlands Restoration Project

The Sisters Grassy Woodlands Restoration Project is an environmental planting project located in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales, approximately 26km northwest of Cooma. Registered on May 22, 2025 by proponent GREENPRINT CADDIGAT PTY LTD, the project initially covered an area of 216.61 hectares, though a variation in August 2025 amended the listed project areas.

Operating under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings (FullCAM) 2024 methodology, the project involves establishing and maintaining a permanent mixed-species environmental planting. Environmental planting projects typically require planting native trees at a minimum density of 200 stems per hectare to restore forest cover. For this specific project, activities are heavily focused on ecological authenticity; it establishes permanent plantings of mixed native tree and shrub species that are endemic to the local area. The carefully selected species mix is designed to accurately reflect the natural structure and composition of the local native vegetation community, aiming to restore the grassy woodlands native to the region.

The surrounding Snowy Monaro high-country area is historically characterised by broadacre agricultural land use, primarily sheep and cattle grazing, notably for fine Merino wool, alongside some forestry operations. Environmentally, the area sits partially within the Monaro rain shadow, resulting in moderate to lower rainfall (averaging around 540mm annually) compared to the nearby alpine ranges. The regional soils are typically texture-contrast types such as Chromosols, featuring loamy topsoils over clay subsoils, which are well-suited to support the native grassy woodland species being re-established.