Kunmallup Tree Project

The Kunmallup Tree Project is an environmental planting initiative located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Katanning and 25 kilometers west of Woodanilling. Registered in January 2026, the project covers 248.67 hectares of land historically utilized for mixed farming, specifically dryland cropping and sheep grazing. This area acts as a transition zone between the darker forestry belts to the west and the open wheatbelt to the east.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings, FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2024. This methodology, an update to the widely used 2014 version, credits landholders for establishing permanent native forests on land that was previously cleared for at least five years. The "FullCAM" aspect refers to the use of the Full Carbon Accounting Model software to model carbon sequestration based on the specific location, soil, and species mix, rather than relying on direct manual measurements. Standard requirements for such projects typically mandate a stocking density sufficient to reach forest cover (often exceeding 200 stems per hectare) with trees capable of reaching two meters in height.

Environmentally, the site lies within a Mediterranean climate zone, receiving approximately 450–500mm of annual rainfall, predominantly in winter. The local terrain is characterized by the undulating rises of the Carrolup system. Soil types in this locality often consist of rich red loams around granite outcrops, transitioning to grey sandy duplex soils and saline wet soils in the valleys. The project's focus on "local native vegetation" is particularly relevant here; the area was historically dominated by Jam trees (Acacia acuminata) and Sheoak before being cleared for subterranean clover pasture.

An interesting historical note regarding the property name "Kunmallup" is its derivation from the Noongar word 'Kumal,' meaning brush-tail possum. Heritage records for the Kunmallup locality indicate that after extensive clearing for agriculture in the early 20th century, the area became susceptible to salinity, a common issue in the Western Australian Wheatbelt. This carbon project likely serves a dual purpose: generating ACCUs through carbon sequestration and remediating land degradation by lowering the water table through the re-establishment of deep-rooted native vegetation.