Lenah2025R_Howlett_S2

Lenah2025R_Howlett_S2 is a plantation forestry project located near Kempton, approximately 50km north of Hobart in Tasmania's Southern Midlands. Registered in August 2025, the project covers roughly 190 hectares of land in a region characterized by a mix of grazing, cropping, and forestry operations. The project is situated just west of the Midland Highway, an area known for its rolling hills and rural agricultural landscape.

The project operates under the 2022 Plantation Forestry methodology, specifically utilizing "Schedule 2," which involves converting an existing plantation from a short-rotation (typically for pulpwood) to a long-rotation (typically for sawlogs) management regime. To meet the requirements of this schedule, the proponent must actively manage the forest to support larger tree growth, often through thinning and pruning, and ensure the new rotation period is at least 10 years longer than the previous one. This change allows the trees to sequester carbon for a longer duration before harvest and shifts the end-product towards structural timber, which retains carbon longer than paper products.

Environmentally, the Southern Midlands region is distinct from the wetter western districts of Tasmania. It typically experiences a cool temperate climate with moderate rainfall, often falling within a "rain shadow" relative to the highlands. The soils in this area are commonly derived from Jurassic dolerite, presenting as fertile but sometimes heavy clay or loams (Dermosols or Vertosols) that support both pasture and eucalypt plantations well.

The project is owned by Lenah Estate Pty Ltd and managed by SFM Environmental Solutions, a prominent Tasmanian forest manager. The inclusion of "Howlett" in the project name likely refers to the specific property or landholding, a name historically associated with the Southern Midlands district. By transitioning to a long-rotation model, the project aims to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by increasing the average carbon stock on the land over time compared to the baseline short-rotation scenario.