NSW

Garry Robb believes that the ‘norm’ of Australian farming needs to change. Before his native forest protection project, Garry was wholly focused on working his land as hard as possible to generate cash-flow. Now, thanks to his carbon project, his reliance on commodity markets is reduced, which he says gives him more options when it comes to managing the land.

Farming is a hard business that throws countless obstacles at those who work to feed, clothe and sustain the rest of us. With often harsh weather including sustained drought that then turns into rampant rain, predicting productivity and income levels is a daily challenge.

Although it’s early days for this regeneration project, the spider webs the landholder sees in the morning dew are a clear sign the country is recovering. “When you see so many webs, you know the insects are hiding beneath the new grass. The spiders eat pests that fly in, and in turn the ground cover provides them with protection from the frost. They are one of the most important parts of the ecosystem,” he says. And since implementing his project, the ecosystem on the land is definitely improving.

Set in sandy red country mixed with flat plains of rich black soil, this project is spread across Inverness and Culgoa, which host a successful merino sheep operation run by Colin and Christine Payton.

North-east of Cobar in NSW, Kergunyah is a 11,745ha property that runs around 500 head of sheep and is home to several flora and fauna species recognised as vulnerable or threatened.

North-west of Louth in New South Wales, Glenora and King’s Bore sit on relatively flat terrain of soft, red, sandy soil. Across over 33,000ha the landscape ranges from open shrublands, interspersed with open cane grass swamp lands to ephemeral salt lakes.

According to Vanessa and Dudley Reschke there are three words that describe the outcomes of their carbon project – sustainability, security and diversity. They credit their human induced regeneration project with the long-term sustainability of their agriculture enterprise.

Peter is responsible for the management of over 6,500 hectares of established native forest, and is now regenerating and additional 12,000 hectares alongside his livestock, which he rotates on and off the project areas to manage grazing pressure.

Over five years into his native forest protection project, David Turnbull says the improvements in the landscape have been profound – not just in the project area, but across the whole property.