Australia’s first environmental planting projects have been registered under the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative, which rewards landholders for cutting or avoiding carbon pollution on the land.

 

Victorian farmers, Peter and Christine Forster, have been direct seeding marginal land on their 800 hectare property with local native species such as Red Gum and Black Wattle since 2010, and are now sequestering approximately 4.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per hectare per year.

 

The Bullock Hills project uses the Environmental Plantings of Native Species Methodology, one of seven approved methodologies under the Carbon Farming Initiative. The carbon sequestered is calculated using the Reforestation Modelling Tool.

 

“The plantings, which cover 32 ha of our farm, are reducing soil erosion and dryland salinity, and improving the health of the Hopkins River. The trees create biodiversity benefits and will provide much needed shade and shelter for livestock,” said Christine Forster.

 

“We have been planting trees for 30 years for multiple farming, environmental and biodiversity benefits. About 25% of the farm is revegetated with local native species.”

 

Further information on the CFI is available at http://www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/cfi