Carbon Forests

The W. James Whyte Island Reserve or ‘The Island’

'The Island' is a large property of over 200 hectares.  It is situated near Bacchus Marsh, approximately 50 kms west of Melbourne close to the Western Highway.  While the property is adjacent to the Werribee Gorge State Park, 'The Island' is significantly degraded and major plantings over the coming 5 years will see it restored to environment health.

The activities on 'The Island' range from pest animal and weed control to stock exclusion fencing as well as the establishment of over 150,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses.  Over the next 5 years, Action for Climate Change will undertake the preparation works and establish this high number of plantings.

Using the science developed by the Department of Climate Change in their Carbon toolbox and having the site accredited under the Greenhouse Friendly program, it has been estimated that over 30,000 tonnes of carbon will be stored upon the site.

In 2007/08, the targeted plantings will exceed an estimated 46,000 trees and shrubs as well as preparing the site for a larger amount of plantings in the 2008/09 planting season.  This will result in an estimated 5,500 tonnes of carbon being eventually stored just in the 2007/08 plantings.

The following photos show some of our progress to date:

Padaminka Nature Refuge

We have commenced work at the Padaminka Nature Refuge in Queesland, a former sugar cane farm and cattle property to assist in the rehabilitation of this land to restore it back to its native flora and attract native birds and animals.  Our objective for this project is to re-establish approximately 2.5 hectares of native forest through the planting and maintenance of 7,000 native seedlings.  The ultimate goal for Padaminka is to return the land as near as possible to its natural state.