Cranbrook biodiverse carbon planting site

Minang Noongar Country

Cranbrook, WA

This project is located on a working farm adjacent to the Stirling Range National Park, approximately 320 km southeast of Perth. The property owners are proactively planting areas at risk of rising water tables to maintain the overall productivity of the land. They are also committed to conserving and restoring biodiversity.

We are working with Threshold Environmental to restore 65 hectares across the property through Saltland Carbon, Biodiverse Sandalwood, and Biodiverse Carbon planting methodologies. Comprehensive soil testing was undertaken prior to planting and used to develop a tailored plan that aims to reduce salinity, minimise soil erosion, and improve the quality of the land. 

The sites were initially planted in 2020 using a combination of direct seeding and hand-planted seedlings. More than 80 different native species were planted, including several Acacia, Allocasuarina, Banksia, Eucalyptus, Hakea, and Melaleuca species. Approximately 500,000 trees and shrubs have established across the sites.

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Seedlings Planted
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Project overview

  • Planting type: Saltland Carbon, Biodiverse Sandalwood & Biodiverse Carbon
  • Region: Great Southern, WA
  • Planted: 2020
  • Size: 65 hectares
  • Seedling count: 39,521
  • Seed weight: 87 kg
  • Partner: Threshold Environmental, South Coast NRM, Gillamii Centre, and North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources
  • ERF registered: No
  • Legal permanence: 30 years (Biodiverse Sandalwood), 100 years (Saltland Carbon & Biodiverse Carbon)

Latest news

Infill Planting

Winter 2023

During the winter months, we returned to the site with Threshold Environmental and the Binalup Rangers to plant native sandalwood seeds in the Biodiverse Sandalwood area. We also planted ~4,000 salt-tolerant seedlings with the crew from APACE WA to increase density in the Saltland Carbon areas.

Low angled drone shot of trees in planting rows

Monitoring

Autumn 2023

Jess and Liv (CPOZ) conducted a second-year monitoring assessment of the saltland carbon area. The results indicated an average survival rate of 62% and a decrease in average density by 17% since 2021. Overall, the site is looking very well-established and diverse with birds and wildlife using the revegetation.

Woman standing next to a small tree in a paddock

Site visit

Winter 2022

In August, Jess (CPOZ) and Justin Jonson (Threshold Environmental) visited the site to conduct a whole-site visual monitoring assessment. There was evidence of pest damage from leaf miners on Eucalyptus plants, however, most other results were great considering variable soil salinity.

Woman and man standing next to each other in planting area

Site Visit

June 2021

CPOZ team members Louise, Jess, and Alice visited the site to check on the progress. This was a great opportunity to catch up with the landholder to discuss the journey so far as well as future plans for the site.

Rows of juvenile Australian tree species in a tree planting project with mountain range in the background

Monitoring

May 2021

In May of the following year, the team from Threshold Environmental returned to monitor the planting site. The team measured several factors including survival, growth, and stocking density. It was estimated that approximately 500,000 shrubs and trees had established across the compartments, with several Eucalyptus, Acacia, Melaleuca and Allocasuarina species showing particularly high success.

Planting

Winter 202

Led by the Threshold Environmental team, direct seeding began in June. Approximately 37 kg of mixed native seed was sewn across the planting areas. In July, more than 47,000 native seedlings were hand-planted using pottiputki devices to speed up the process. A total of 95 different species were planted including trees, mallees, shrubs, and groundcover.

Lines ripped in a paddock ready for trees to be planted with mountain range in the background

Site preparation

May 2020

To prepare for planting the site was scalped and treated with herbicides. This practice reduces competition from perennial weeds, improving the likelihood of seedling survival and establishment. In the Saltland Carbon areas, rows were mounded to reduce root system exposure to salinity and water logging. All areas were arranged into a grid formation to ensure adequate spacing between seedlings.

Man holding a tray of native Australian seeds

Seed collection

Spring/Summer 2019

Over the following months, native seed was collected from remnant bushland in the local area. The seeds were treated (using either smoke, water, or heat) to improve the likelihood of germination. A total of 84 different species were collected and treated including several Acacia, Allocasuarina, Calothamnus, and Eucalyptus species. Seedling orders were placed and grown out at Parnell’s Nursery over the summer months.

Landscape at sunset with rolling mountains in the background

Site assessment

Winter 2019

The landholders had identified several areas across the property (~65 ha total) that were showing signs of degradation and declining productivity. A site assessment was conducted by Justin Jonson (Threshold Environmental) to determine the physical and chemical properties of these areas. The areas were compartmentalised based on their characteristics and a separate planting methodology and species mis was developed for each compartment.

What we planted

Acacia Illustration

Acacia

19 species
sandalwood host
short lifespan
nitrogen fixing​

Illustration of an Allocasuarina

Allocasuarina

4 species
nitrogen fixing​
hardwood tree
frost-tolerant

Atriplex Illustration

Atriplex

2 species
low-lying shrub
highly salt tolerant
drought tolerant

Banksia Illustration

Banksia

1 species
high nectar production
fire-adapted
hardy tree

Casuarina illustration

Casuarina

1 species
salt and drought tolerant
attracts native birds
nitrogen converter

Eucalyptus Illustration

Eucalyptus

16 species
food source for native fauna
fast maturing tree
utilised for canopy cover

Illustration of a Hakea

Hakea

7 species
hardy shrub
often prickly (excellent nesting habitat)
fire-adapted germination

Melaleuca Illustration

Melaleuca

19 species
fire-adapted
salt-tolerant
excellent shrubby habitat

Sandalwood Illustration

Santalum

1 species
hemiparasitic
aromatic timber
edible

Native species illustration

Other

16 species
native to area
increase biodiversity
provide understory and
canopy cover

Project gallery

Landscape at sunset with rolling mountains in the background
Part of the 65 hectare area identified for planting (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Lines ripped in a paddock ready for trees to be planted with mountain range in the background
Lines ripped ready for planting against the backdrop of the Stirling Ranges (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Paddock with lines ripped ready for planting. Rainbow in the background.
Lines ripped ready for planting (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
seeds organise and spread across a black sheet on a table
Native seed being dried post-heat treatment. (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Man holding a tray of native Australian seeds
A tray of Acacia acuminata (‘Jam Wattle’) seeds being cleaned (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Extreme close up of native Australian seeds
Close up of Acacia cyclops (‘Coastal wattle’) seeds post-scarification. (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Marianne (Parnell's Nursery) alongside some of the salt-tolerant seedlings ready to be planted.
Marianne (Parnell’s Nursery) alongside some of the salt-tolerant seedlings ready to be planted.
Trays of Eucaluptus sargentii ('Salt River Gum') seedlings grown-out at Parnell's Nursery ready for planting.
Trays of Eucaluptus sargentii (‘Salt River Gum’) seedlings grown-out at Parnell’s Nursery ready for planting.
Various species of salt tolerant seedlings in trays on table
Various species of salt tolerant seedlings.
A tray of Melaleuca thyoides ('Salt Lake Honey-Myrtle') seedlings ready to be planted.
A tray of Melaleuca thyoides (‘Salt Lake Honey-Myrtle’) seedlings ready to be planted.
People standing in and between planting around ready to plant
The team using pottiputkis (hand-held planting devices) to plant seedlings across the site (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Two men posing with planting buckets and devices.
Josh and Jamie from Threshold Environmental on planting day (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Rows of juvenile Australian tree species in a tree planting project with mountain range in the background
Part of the Saltland Carbon planting area showing positive germination and survival rates one-year on from planting (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Woman kneeling in planting area writing on a piece on paper
Kai from Threshold Environmental plotting quadrats in the Saltland Carbon planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A thriving Atriplex nummularia ('Old Man Saltbush') in the Saltland Carbon area.
A thriving Atriplex nummularia (‘Old Man Saltbush’) in the Saltland Carbon area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A low lying pale green shrub with red berries
A thriving Atriplex semibaccata (‘Australian Saltbush’) in the Saltland Carbon area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A young Eucalyptus seedling emerging from the soil with small pebbles around the base
A Eucalyptus wandoo (‘White Gum’) germinated from direct seeding in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A field with rows of planting lines and four wooden stakes marking out a square
A monitoring plot in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Acacia microbotrya ('Manna Wattle')
Despite the weeds, an Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna Wattle’) seedling in the Biodiverse Sandalwood planting area growing well (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A monitoring plot measured out with a tape measure
A monitoring plot in the Biodiverse Sandalwood planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
An Acacia myrtifolia ('Myrtle Wattle') seedling
An Acacia myrtifolia (‘Myrtle Wattle’) seedling emerging in the Biodiverse Sandalwood planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Woman and man standing next to each other in planting area
Louise (CPOZ) and George (Landholder) in part of the Biodiverse Carbon planting area. The team visited to discuss the project’s progress as well as future plans.
A thriving Eucalyptus decipiens ('Redheart') spotted during the site visit.
A thriving Eucalyptus decipiens (‘Redheart’) spotted during the site visit.
Two people walking in a field with mountain ranges and trees in the background
Jess (CPOZ) and George (Landholder) en route to one of the planting areas in the shadow of the Stirling Ranges.
Close up of an Acacia pulchella goadbyi.
Close up of an Acacia pulchella goadbyi.
Woman squatting down next to little seedlings growing in planting rows
Jess (CPOZ) checking out the progress of part of the Biodiverse Carbon area.
A Regelia cymbifolia seedling that has emerged from direct seeding.
A Regelia cymbifolia seedling that has emerged from direct seeding in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area.
Two people sitting in the front seats of a car driving on a dirt road
Driving across the farm to visit the different planting areas.
A thriving Atriplex nummularia ('Old Man Saltbush')
A thriving Atriplex nummularia (‘Old Man Saltbush’) in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area.
Drone shot of established plants in planting rows
Cranbrook site two years post-planting, with areas of high soil salinity visible.
Trees growing in planting rows
Justin Jonson (Threshold Environmental) checking out plant growth and progress across the site.
Thriving Banksia grandis ("Bull banksia").
Thriving Banksia grandis (“Bull banksia”).
Flowering Hakea lissocarpha ("Honey bush").
Flowering Hakea lissocarpha (“Honey bush”).
Flowering Acacia pulchella ("Prickly moses").
Flowering Acacia pulchella (“Prickly moses”).
Hakea cucullata ("Hood-leaved hakea") beginning to flower.
Hakea cucullata (“Hood-leaved hakea”) beginning to flower.
Woman standing next to a Eucalyptus tree with the Stirling Ranges visible in the background.
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to a Eucalyptus tree with the Stirling Ranges visible in the background.
Angled down drone image of trees growing in planting rows with afternoon sun shining down on the trees.
Cranbrook site in the afternoon sun.
Atriplex and other salt-tolerant plants growing in planting rows with weeds in between and mountain range in background.
Atriplex and other salt-tolerant plants in the Cranbrook saltland site.
Woman using a measuring stick to measuring an Acacia cyclops.
Liv (CPOZ) measuring an impressive Acacia cyclops.
Established plants growing in planting rows
Planting rows in the Saltland Carbon area.
Close up of a flowering and fruiting Eucalyptus
Close up of a flowering and fruiting Eucalyptus occidentalis (‘Flat-topped yate’).
Woman peaking out from behind an Acacia cyclops.
Jess (CPOZ) peaking out from behind an Acacia cyclops.
Drone shot of established planting rows in the Saltland Carbon area.
Drone shot of established planting rows in the Saltland Carbon area.
A tall flowering Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle').
A tall flowering Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
close up shot of an Acacia pulchella
Flowering Acacia pulchella (“Prickly moses”).
Native western Australian plants growing in planting rows
Very well established Saltbush and Eucalyptus’s tree in planting rows.
close up shot of melaleuca atroviridis seedling
Melaleuca atroviridis seedlings in seedling trays ready to be planted.
Angled down drone image of trees growing in planting rows with mountain range in background.
Cranbrook site in spring 2023 during infill planting.
Cranbrook biodiverse carbon planting site
Cranbrook biodiverse carbon planting site.
Cranbrook planting site with tree growth
Flowering Acacia cyclops (“coastal wattle”).
Landscape at sunset with rolling mountains in the background
Part of the 65 hectare area identified for planting (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Lines ripped in a paddock ready for trees to be planted with mountain range in the background
Lines ripped ready for planting against the backdrop of the Stirling Ranges (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Paddock with lines ripped ready for planting. Rainbow in the background.
Lines ripped ready for planting (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
seeds organise and spread across a black sheet on a table
Native seed being dried post-heat treatment. (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Man holding a tray of native Australian seeds
A tray of Acacia acuminata (‘Jam Wattle’) seeds being cleaned (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Extreme close up of native Australian seeds
Close up of Acacia cyclops (‘Coastal wattle’) seeds post-scarification. (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Marianne (Parnell's Nursery) alongside some of the salt-tolerant seedlings ready to be planted.
Marianne (Parnell’s Nursery) alongside some of the salt-tolerant seedlings ready to be planted.
Trays of Eucaluptus sargentii ('Salt River Gum') seedlings grown-out at Parnell's Nursery ready for planting.
Trays of Eucaluptus sargentii (‘Salt River Gum’) seedlings grown-out at Parnell’s Nursery ready for planting.
Various species of salt tolerant seedlings in trays on table
Various species of salt tolerant seedlings.
A tray of Melaleuca thyoides ('Salt Lake Honey-Myrtle') seedlings ready to be planted.
A tray of Melaleuca thyoides (‘Salt Lake Honey-Myrtle’) seedlings ready to be planted.
People standing in and between planting around ready to plant
The team using pottiputkis (hand-held planting devices) to plant seedlings across the site (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Two men posing with planting buckets and devices.
Josh and Jamie from Threshold Environmental on planting day (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Rows of juvenile Australian tree species in a tree planting project with mountain range in the background
Part of the Saltland Carbon planting area showing positive germination and survival rates one-year on from planting (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Woman kneeling in planting area writing on a piece on paper
Kai from Threshold Environmental plotting quadrats in the Saltland Carbon planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A thriving Atriplex nummularia ('Old Man Saltbush') in the Saltland Carbon area.
A thriving Atriplex nummularia (‘Old Man Saltbush’) in the Saltland Carbon area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A low lying pale green shrub with red berries
A thriving Atriplex semibaccata (‘Australian Saltbush’) in the Saltland Carbon area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A young Eucalyptus seedling emerging from the soil with small pebbles around the base
A Eucalyptus wandoo (‘White Gum’) germinated from direct seeding in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A field with rows of planting lines and four wooden stakes marking out a square
A monitoring plot in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Acacia microbotrya ('Manna Wattle')
Despite the weeds, an Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna Wattle’) seedling in the Biodiverse Sandalwood planting area growing well (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
A monitoring plot measured out with a tape measure
A monitoring plot in the Biodiverse Sandalwood planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
An Acacia myrtifolia ('Myrtle Wattle') seedling
An Acacia myrtifolia (‘Myrtle Wattle’) seedling emerging in the Biodiverse Sandalwood planting area (Photo: Justin Jonson, Threshold Environmental).
Woman and man standing next to each other in planting area
Louise (CPOZ) and George (Landholder) in part of the Biodiverse Carbon planting area. The team visited to discuss the project’s progress as well as future plans.
A thriving Eucalyptus decipiens ('Redheart') spotted during the site visit.
A thriving Eucalyptus decipiens (‘Redheart’) spotted during the site visit.
Two people walking in a field with mountain ranges and trees in the background
Jess (CPOZ) and George (Landholder) en route to one of the planting areas in the shadow of the Stirling Ranges.
Close up of an Acacia pulchella goadbyi.
Close up of an Acacia pulchella goadbyi.
Woman squatting down next to little seedlings growing in planting rows
Jess (CPOZ) checking out the progress of part of the Biodiverse Carbon area.
A Regelia cymbifolia seedling that has emerged from direct seeding.
A Regelia cymbifolia seedling that has emerged from direct seeding in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area.
Two people sitting in the front seats of a car driving on a dirt road
Driving across the farm to visit the different planting areas.
A thriving Atriplex nummularia ('Old Man Saltbush')
A thriving Atriplex nummularia (‘Old Man Saltbush’) in the Biodiverse Carbon planting area.
Drone shot of established plants in planting rows
Cranbrook site two years post-planting, with areas of high soil salinity visible.
Trees growing in planting rows
Justin Jonson (Threshold Environmental) checking out plant growth and progress across the site.
Thriving Banksia grandis ("Bull banksia").
Thriving Banksia grandis (“Bull banksia”).
Flowering Hakea lissocarpha ("Honey bush").
Flowering Hakea lissocarpha (“Honey bush”).
Flowering Acacia pulchella ("Prickly moses").
Flowering Acacia pulchella (“Prickly moses”).
Hakea cucullata ("Hood-leaved hakea") beginning to flower.
Hakea cucullata (“Hood-leaved hakea”) beginning to flower.
Woman standing next to a Eucalyptus tree with the Stirling Ranges visible in the background.
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to a Eucalyptus tree with the Stirling Ranges visible in the background.
Angled down drone image of trees growing in planting rows with afternoon sun shining down on the trees.
Cranbrook site in the afternoon sun.
Atriplex and other salt-tolerant plants growing in planting rows with weeds in between and mountain range in background.
Atriplex and other salt-tolerant plants in the Cranbrook saltland site.
Woman using a measuring stick to measuring an Acacia cyclops.
Liv (CPOZ) measuring an impressive Acacia cyclops.
Established plants growing in planting rows
Planting rows in the Saltland Carbon area.
Close up of a flowering and fruiting Eucalyptus
Close up of a flowering and fruiting Eucalyptus occidentalis (‘Flat-topped yate’).
Woman peaking out from behind an Acacia cyclops.
Jess (CPOZ) peaking out from behind an Acacia cyclops.
Drone shot of established planting rows in the Saltland Carbon area.
Drone shot of established planting rows in the Saltland Carbon area.
A tall flowering Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle').
A tall flowering Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
close up shot of an Acacia pulchella
Flowering Acacia pulchella (“Prickly moses”).
Native western Australian plants growing in planting rows
Very well established Saltbush and Eucalyptus’s tree in planting rows.
close up shot of melaleuca atroviridis seedling
Melaleuca atroviridis seedlings in seedling trays ready to be planted.
Angled down drone image of trees growing in planting rows with mountain range in background.
Cranbrook site in spring 2023 during infill planting.
Cranbrook biodiverse carbon planting site
Cranbrook biodiverse carbon planting site.
Cranbrook planting site with tree growth
Flowering Acacia cyclops (“coastal wattle”).
Landscape at sunset with rolling mountains in the background
Lines ripped in a paddock ready for trees to be planted with mountain range in the background
Paddock with lines ripped ready for planting. Rainbow in the background.
seeds organise and spread across a black sheet on a table
Man holding a tray of native Australian seeds
Extreme close up of native Australian seeds
Marianne (Parnell's Nursery) alongside some of the salt-tolerant seedlings ready to be planted.
Trays of Eucaluptus sargentii ('Salt River Gum') seedlings grown-out at Parnell's Nursery ready for planting.
Various species of salt tolerant seedlings in trays on table
A tray of Melaleuca thyoides ('Salt Lake Honey-Myrtle') seedlings ready to be planted.
People standing in and between planting around ready to plant
Two men posing with planting buckets and devices.
Rows of juvenile Australian tree species in a tree planting project with mountain range in the background
Woman kneeling in planting area writing on a piece on paper
A thriving Atriplex nummularia ('Old Man Saltbush') in the Saltland Carbon area.
A low lying pale green shrub with red berries
A young Eucalyptus seedling emerging from the soil with small pebbles around the base
A field with rows of planting lines and four wooden stakes marking out a square
Acacia microbotrya ('Manna Wattle')
A monitoring plot measured out with a tape measure
An Acacia myrtifolia ('Myrtle Wattle') seedling
Woman and man standing next to each other in planting area
A thriving Eucalyptus decipiens ('Redheart') spotted during the site visit.
Two people walking in a field with mountain ranges and trees in the background
Close up of an Acacia pulchella goadbyi.
Woman squatting down next to little seedlings growing in planting rows
A Regelia cymbifolia seedling that has emerged from direct seeding.
Two people sitting in the front seats of a car driving on a dirt road
A thriving Atriplex nummularia ('Old Man Saltbush')
Drone shot of established plants in planting rows
Trees growing in planting rows
Thriving Banksia grandis ("Bull banksia").
Flowering Hakea lissocarpha ("Honey bush").
Flowering Acacia pulchella ("Prickly moses").
Hakea cucullata ("Hood-leaved hakea") beginning to flower.
Woman standing next to a Eucalyptus tree with the Stirling Ranges visible in the background.
Angled down drone image of trees growing in planting rows with afternoon sun shining down on the trees.
Atriplex and other salt-tolerant plants growing in planting rows with weeds in between and mountain range in background.
Woman using a measuring stick to measuring an Acacia cyclops.
Established plants growing in planting rows
Close up of a flowering and fruiting Eucalyptus
Woman peaking out from behind an Acacia cyclops.
Drone shot of established planting rows in the Saltland Carbon area.
A tall flowering Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle').
close up shot of an Acacia pulchella
Native western Australian plants growing in planting rows
close up shot of melaleuca atroviridis seedling
Angled down drone image of trees growing in planting rows with mountain range in background.
Cranbrook biodiverse carbon planting site
Cranbrook planting site with tree growth