Revegetation of critically endangered Honeymyrtle shrubland on the Swan Coastal Plain
In partnership with a global energy company, Nativ Carbon revegetated 2,500 hectares of land at the northern end of the Swan Coastal Plain, east of Lancelin, Western Australia. The large-scale project, which has completed its first year with another 1.5 years to go, has already begun transforming the site’s degraded land into a richly biodiverse ecosystem and a sustainable source of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for our client.
Partnership and contractor management
Nativ Carbon managed five planting teams with rolling deliveries and batching systems. Three trucks operated daily to transport seedlings, and planting was carefully timed to maximise establishment in winter. We closely monitored seedling quality, with inspections conducted on surface preparation and seedling batching to ensure every element met the required standards.
Indigenous and broader community engagement
The project actively involved the community, with the local primary school participating in planting activities. Local Yued Elders performed a Welcome to Country, and Aboriginal organisations were engaged throughout the process to ensure cultural and environmental alignment.
Heavy weed-load management
The project faced several challenges that demanded a strategic approach. These included a heavy African love grass infestation, which required careful management. A specialised contractor was engaged to treat the especially large weed loads of love grass by burning, while Nativ Carbon undertook slashing to control the vegetation. As the land was fragile, the weed management strategy involved killing the grass weeds and allowing them to remain in place, helping to stabilise the soil before planting.
Targeted revegetation species selection
Species selection was also critical. The 28 selected plant species were chosen to stabilise the soil, suppress weeds and outcompete the invasive grasses. Given the area’s high fire risk, species were selected with fire risk management in mind in consultation with local government authorities.
Reforestation for biodiversity and carbon capture
The project’s primary goal was to develop a sustainable source of ACCUs through environmental planting, with the regeneration of ecologically significant Honeymyrtle shrubland being an added benefit.
revegetation under complex site conditions
The site’s challenges included significant weed invasions, particularly African lovegrass, which had rendered the land unproductive and marginal. In response, a strategic approach was employed, with the Nativ Carbon team carefully managing weed control through methods such as slashing, burning and targeted plant species selection. These species were chosen for their ability to stabilise the soil, outcompete invasive grasses and support the long-term ecological health of the land.
Local community engagement and education
The project successfully involved the local community, fostering educational opportunities and engagement with the environment. The local school, Lancelin Primary School, participated in planting activities as part of its STEM program, helping to raise awareness about environmental issues and revegetation efforts. Local Aboriginal organisations and those working off-country from down south were also heavily involved in the process.
Projects making a difference
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Carbon Offset PlantingCarbon Offset PlantingGround PreparationGround PreparationMonitoring & Reporting3+4+Reforestation in the challenging clay soils of the Eastern Wheatbelt -
BiodiversityBiodiversityCarbon Offset PlantingCarbon Offset PlantingMonitoring & Reporting4+5+Revegetating marginal farmland for long-term carbon capture and biodiversity