The community impact of Nativ Carbon revegetation projects
Regional spend that supports local economies
Project delivery often requires teams to be based on-site for extended periods – typically 8 to 10 weeks at a time. During this time, accommodation, meals, fuel and services like pest control are sourced from local businesses. These transactions are monitored as part of Nativ Carbon’s broader commitment to transparent, community-oriented investment.
‘We track how much we spend locally in every region – not just wages, but things like accommodation, fuel & farm consumables, and equipment hire,’ says Nativ Carbon director David Lullfitz. ‘It’s a practical way to show how these projects contribute to the local economy.’
By consciously choosing to invest in local supply chains, projects help inject revenue into towns and small businesses that often sit outside traditional environmental funding pathways. The cumulative effect is significant, particularly across multi-year projects that require repeat mobilisation and ongoing site management.
Employment that keeps skills local
Unlike short-term revegetation efforts that end when the last seedling is planted, our projects are structured for long-term maintenance and ecological integrity. This means hiring people with practical land management skills to carry out critical year-round work, including weed control, firebreak maintenance and pest management.
Where possible, Nativ Carbon employs local people – including those with farming backgrounds – who bring valuable on-the-ground knowledge and a strong understanding of the local environment. These roles provide an alternative income stream for rural Australians and retain expertise within the region.
‘There’s sometimes a misconception that carbon projects push people off the land,’ says David. ‘But in reality, we’re creating jobs for people who know how to manage it – and who benefit from seeing it restored.’
This model of active, long-term stewardship ensures that project sites remain healthy and viable well beyond initial planting, while supporting livelihoods in areas facing agricultural transition.
Protecting cultural heritage with clear protocols
Land with ecological value often holds cultural significance too. Nativ Carbon maintains strict protocols for identifying and protecting culturally significant areas across all project sites. These protocols ensure that revegetation activities do not encroach on or disturb important heritage locations.
Clear exclusion zones are mapped out in consultation with experts and Traditional Owners, and works are planned accordingly. The result is a respectful, precautionary approach that reflects both legal obligations and moral responsibility.
By prioritising cultural integrity alongside environmental outcomes, Nativ Carbon’s projects support a more inclusive and considered approach to land management: one that honours both ecological and human history.
Community engagement that builds awareness
In recent years, we have extended our approach to include hands-on community engagement, particularly with local primary schools. Students are invited to participate in planting days as part of their STEM learning, offering a tangible way to connect classroom topics with the real world.
These visits give students an opportunity to understand native ecosystems, carbon sequestration and the importance of long-term environmental stewardship. They also serve as informal education for families and the broader community.
‘It’s a simple way to open up the project and get people involved,’ says David. ‘Students learn what native restoration actually looks like – and they get to be part of it.’
While small in scale, these interactions contribute to broader public awareness and local pride in the environmental work taking place in the region.
Measuring more than just carbon
Carbon projects are typically assessed on technical metrics: hectares planted, tonnes of CO₂ sequestered and species diversity. For Nativ Carbon, these are only part of the story.
By embedding social and economic indicators into our reporting, Nativ Carbon provides a more complete picture of project value – one that aligns with investor expectations and community priorities alike.
