Projects and trials
Field tested.
Below are a number of projects undertaken by the owners of CarbonFarms. Ranging in size from from 1-15 acres, these will form the basis of the CarbonFarms’ silvopasture landscape, on a larger scale.
These projects have drawn almost 500 tonnes (CO2 equivalent) from the atmosphere so far and continue to draw around 70t per year. But this is not enough, we want to multiply this abatement one thousand fold with the help of members.
Prospective members will have the opportunity to visit the below projects if sufficient interest exists.
30 year old farm forest
This project was planted in the 1990’s to beautify the property, reduce waterlogging and provide habitat. Species planted included red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora). Prior to colonisation this land was managed by Taungarung people.
20 year old farm forest
This project was planted in the early 2000’s to combat salinity, waterlogging and weed infestation. Species planted included red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and swamp yate (Eucalyptus occidentalis). Prior to colonisation this land was managed by Taungarung people.
10 year old silvopasture forest
This project was planted in 2012 to provide protection to soil, water and stock, to sequester carbon and to provide a sustainable source of firewood to the land owner. The species planted include red ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa), sugar gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx), red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and spotted gum (Corymbia maculata). The project contains camp sites. Prior to colonisation this land was managed by Taungarung people.
5 year old farm forest
This project was planted in 2015 to provide protection to soil, water and stock, to sequester carbon and to provide a sustainable source of firewood to the land owner. The species planted include red ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa), sugar gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) and red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Prior to colonisation this land was managed by Taungarung people.
Deforested paddocks ready to start sequestering again.
2021 silvopasture trial
This project used drone technology to reduce spray area, soil compaction, soil disturbance and preserve a greater proportion of pasture during site preparation. Species used were spotted gum (Corymbia maculata), sugar gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx), Sydney bluegum (Eucalyptus saligna) and black wattle (Acacia mearnsii). This area is capable of sequestering around 11 tonnes of CO2e per hectare per annum, so across the 2.5 ha, it will sequester approximately 600 tonnes of CO2 over 25 years (and will continue sequestering from year 26 onward!). Prior to colonisation, this land was managed by Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.
What once was, and will again be - damp damp sands her rich woodland.
2022 Carbon drawdown project
This project has been submitted for registration with the clean energy regulator. Species to be planted will be the same as those found in the adjacent endangered ecological vegetation class called damp sands herb-rich woodland and herb-rich foothill forest. Some species you might recognise are manna gum (koalas favourite food) and messmate stringy bark. Thousands of tree and shrub seedlings are ordered, with the seeds currently undergoing stratification (cold treatment to stimulate germination) at the nursery. This project will sequester approximately 13 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year. For this project, we plan to trial flame weeding on some of the area in an attempt to find a viable way of moving away from herbicide. Prior to colonisation, this land sat on the border of lands managed by Woi Wurrung, Dja Dja Warung and Taungarung people.
Precision spraying technology showing exactly where a planting spot can and cannot be located.
Drones as a method of spray reduction
If you want to plant 10 trees, you probably don’t need to worry too much about controlling competing grasses and weeds. But if you want to establish ten thousand trees or one hundred thousand trees, you need to consider weed control very seriously. Spraying weeds reduces competition for the seedling during the first year, which allows it to establish successfully. If the trees don’t establish successfully, they will not sequester much carbon - which is contrary to one of the key goals of CarbonFarms’ projects. The drone technique employed above reduces spray area by over 80% compared to traditional plantation establishment. Sprayed grasses generally start to regrow the following season. Spraying is expensive and includes risks, so avoiding it altogether is the ultimate goal, providing trees grow successfully. CarbonFarms is investigating and trialing methods to establish trees successfully with minimal or zero herbicide. These trials are ongoing.