Two men in hats and glasses standing behind a trailer full of seedlings

Ballardong Noongar Country

Gabbin, WA

Located in the northern Wheatbelt of WA, this 52-hectare planting site is part of a larger property owned by a local farming family. Before being cleared in the early 1900s, much of this region was covered with native Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) woodlands. Without the protection of trees and shrubs, the land has suffered significant wind erosion and soil degradation.

By planting a mix of native species alongside the sandalwood, this project aims to restore native vegetation and improve the eroded landscape. After 25 years, the landholders will be able to harvest the valuable sandalwood timber, creating a mutually beneficial restoration model for all involved.

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Donate Amount

 
HA
PLANTED
K
Seedlings Planted
Species
Planted

Project overview

  • Planting type: Biodiverse Sandalwood
  • Region: Western Australian Wheatbelt
  • Planted: 2021, 2022 & 2023
  • Size: 52 hectares
  • Seedling count: 28,912
  • Seed weight: 81 kg
  • Partner: FarmWoods and Sandalwood Solutions
  • ERF registered: Yes (Farm Forestry Methodology)
  • Legal permanence: 25 years

Latest news

Woman filling up her planting bucket with seedlings ready for planting from back of a ute.

Infill planting

July 2023

The CPOZ team were joined by Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) and a fantastic group of volunteers to infill patchy areas of the site. The team hand-planted a total of 3,488 seedlings (Eucalyptus and Acacia species) and sowed an additional 25 kg of sandalwood nuts next to established host species across the site.

A man wearing a black t-shirt with "PaperCut" written on the front flagged by two women wearing green shirts with "Carbon Positive Australia" on the front. All three are holding a seedling out to the camera.

Infill planting

July 2022

An additional 7,400 Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’) seedlings were hand-planted across the site to increase the number of sandalwood host trees. Ros and the CPOZ team were joined by Jamie, a representative from PaperCut, who are long-time supporters of our work.

Person standing in the distance of a paddock

Monitoring

May 2022

The first complete monitoring assessment was conducted in May, with 14 permanent plots set up across the 52 hectares. Results showed promising high survival rates overall, however, the average density was variable between plots. This is most likely due to different areas being more susceptible to wind and water erosion.

A bucket of Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seeds de-husked and ready to be sown.

Sandalwood Planting

April 2022

In April, Ros MacFarlane and her team planted 50 kg of Sandalwood seed into existing rows, alongside Acacia acuminate (‘Jam wattle’) hosts.

Two people on either side of a trailer filled with seedling trays

planting

July 2021

After several rain delays, Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) and the Avongro team hand-planted approximately 18,000 Acacia acuminate (‘Jam wattle’) seedlings across the site. The team used pottiputkis (hand-held mechanical planting devices) to speed up the process.

Bare yellow soil with ripped lines and sparse tree line in the distance

site prep & seeding

May 2021

In May, the site was mechanically ripped and seeded. Ripping helps to loosen the topsoil, making it easier for seedling roots to penetrate and establish successfully. Approximately 6 kg of native seed mix was sown across the site. This mix included several Acacia species which are popular hosts for the hemiparasitic sandal species.

Barren paddock with the front of a car in the bottom left corner

Site Assessment

November 2020

An initial site assessment was undertaken in November 2020. Two areas were recommended for planting, both of which had experienced significant erosion during a recent wind event. The species mix was determined and orders for seed and seedlings were placed with local nurseries.

What we planted

Acacia Illustration

Acacia

7 species
sandalwood host
short lifespan
nitrogen-fixing​

Eucalyptus Illustration

Eucalyptus

2 species
high survivability in nutrient-poor soils
fast maturing tree
utilised for canopy cover

Illustration of a Hakea

Hakea

1 species
endemic
fire-adapted (germination)
hardy shrub

Sandalwood Illustration

Santalum

1 species
hemiparasitic
aromatic timber
medicinal properties

Project gallery

Bare yellow soil with ripped lines and sparse tree line in the distance
Planting lines ripped and ready for planting.
Barren paddock with the front of a car in the bottom left corner
Part of the site ripped and ready for planting.
Two men in hats and glasses standing behind a trailer full of seedlings
Avongro team members stocking up on seedlings during planting.
Two people on either side of a trailer filled with seedling trays
Avongro team members collecting seedlings during planting.
Acacia yorkrakinesis ('Soft Leaf Wodjil') growing in a planting row.
Acacia yorkrakinesis (‘Soft Leaf Wodjil’).
Measuring the height of a juvenile Acacia acuminata ('Jam Wattle').
Measuring the height of a juvenile Acacia acuminata (‘Jam Wattle’).
Acacia neurophylla ('Wodjil') seedling hiding between two Acacia yorkrakinesis ('Soft Leaf Wodjil') shrubs.
Acacia neurophylla (‘Wodjil’) seedling hiding between two Acacia yorkrakinesis (‘Soft Leaf Wodjil’) shrubs.
Drone image of planting site with rows
Rows across one planting area showing emerging plants.
Acacia shrub flagged with tape to mark the boundary of a monitoring plot.
Acacia shrub flagged with tape to mark the boundary of a monitoring plot.
Person standing in the distance of a paddock
Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) setting up a monitoring plot.
Great planting row of Acacia shrubs.
Great planting row of Acacia shrubs.
Drone photo of yellow, sandy paddock
The smaller planting area to the east of the property.
Parallel veins on the leaf of an Acacia neurophylla ('Wodjil').
Parallel veins on the leaf of an Acacia neurophylla (‘Wodjil’).
Trailer full of seedlings trays with a yellow seedling bucket
Some of the 7,000+ seedlings on the back of the truck ready to infill patchy areas across the site.
People standing around a white ute with seedlings on the back
The team, including Jamie from PaperCut, getting ready for a big day of planting.
A man wearing a black t-shirt with "PaperCut" written on the front flagged by two women wearing green shirts with "Carbon Positive Australia" on the front. All three are holding a seedling out to the camera.
Jess and Ebony (CPOZ) with Jamie, a representative from PaperCut who was there to assist with planting. PaperCut are long-time supporters of Carbon Positive Australia.
Three women standing and smiling next to a ute tray full of seedlings.
Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) with Ebony and Gail (CPOZ) with some of the Acacia acuminata seedlings.
Man standing on the back of a ute tray holding a tray of seedlings
Jamie from PaperCut getting ready to help with the tree planting.
Trays of seedlings on the back of a white truck
Some of the 7,000+ seedlings ready for planting.
Mixed seedlings in a bucket with a pottiputki
Planting bucket full of a biodiverse mix of seedlings ready to be planted.
Woman smiling for a photo standing on yellow soil with a pottiputki
Maddi (CPOZ) ready to plant some sandalwood nuts.
Woman filling up her planting bucket with seedlings ready for planting from back of a ute.
Lauren (CPOZ) filling up her bucket with seedlings ready for planting.
Woman holding an Acacia acuminata seedling.
Liv (CPOZ) holding an Acacia acuminata seedling.
Hand with gardening glove holding sandalwood seeds
Sandalwood nuts de-husked and ready to be planted.
Woman standing smiling next to a shrub with a bucket full of seedlings.
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to a well-established planting row.
Sunset over planting rows with pottiputkis
Beautiful sunset to end a day of hand-planting.
Bare yellow soil with ripped lines and sparse tree line in the distance
Planting lines ripped and ready for planting.
Barren paddock with the front of a car in the bottom left corner
Part of the site ripped and ready for planting.
Two men in hats and glasses standing behind a trailer full of seedlings
Avongro team members stocking up on seedlings during planting.
Two people on either side of a trailer filled with seedling trays
Avongro team members collecting seedlings during planting.
Acacia yorkrakinesis ('Soft Leaf Wodjil') growing in a planting row.
Acacia yorkrakinesis (‘Soft Leaf Wodjil’).
Measuring the height of a juvenile Acacia acuminata ('Jam Wattle').
Measuring the height of a juvenile Acacia acuminata (‘Jam Wattle’).
Acacia neurophylla ('Wodjil') seedling hiding between two Acacia yorkrakinesis ('Soft Leaf Wodjil') shrubs.
Acacia neurophylla (‘Wodjil’) seedling hiding between two Acacia yorkrakinesis (‘Soft Leaf Wodjil’) shrubs.
Drone image of planting site with rows
Rows across one planting area showing emerging plants.
Acacia shrub flagged with tape to mark the boundary of a monitoring plot.
Acacia shrub flagged with tape to mark the boundary of a monitoring plot.
Person standing in the distance of a paddock
Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) setting up a monitoring plot.
Great planting row of Acacia shrubs.
Great planting row of Acacia shrubs.
Drone photo of yellow, sandy paddock
The smaller planting area to the east of the property.
Parallel veins on the leaf of an Acacia neurophylla ('Wodjil').
Parallel veins on the leaf of an Acacia neurophylla (‘Wodjil’).
Trailer full of seedlings trays with a yellow seedling bucket
Some of the 7,000+ seedlings on the back of the truck ready to infill patchy areas across the site.
People standing around a white ute with seedlings on the back
The team, including Jamie from PaperCut, getting ready for a big day of planting.
A man wearing a black t-shirt with "PaperCut" written on the front flagged by two women wearing green shirts with "Carbon Positive Australia" on the front. All three are holding a seedling out to the camera.
Jess and Ebony (CPOZ) with Jamie, a representative from PaperCut who was there to assist with planting. PaperCut are long-time supporters of Carbon Positive Australia.
Three women standing and smiling next to a ute tray full of seedlings.
Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) with Ebony and Gail (CPOZ) with some of the Acacia acuminata seedlings.
Man standing on the back of a ute tray holding a tray of seedlings
Jamie from PaperCut getting ready to help with the tree planting.
Trays of seedlings on the back of a white truck
Some of the 7,000+ seedlings ready for planting.
Mixed seedlings in a bucket with a pottiputki
Planting bucket full of a biodiverse mix of seedlings ready to be planted.
Woman smiling for a photo standing on yellow soil with a pottiputki
Maddi (CPOZ) ready to plant some sandalwood nuts.
Woman filling up her planting bucket with seedlings ready for planting from back of a ute.
Lauren (CPOZ) filling up her bucket with seedlings ready for planting.
Woman holding an Acacia acuminata seedling.
Liv (CPOZ) holding an Acacia acuminata seedling.
Hand with gardening glove holding sandalwood seeds
Sandalwood nuts de-husked and ready to be planted.
Woman standing smiling next to a shrub with a bucket full of seedlings.
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to a well-established planting row.
Sunset over planting rows with pottiputkis
Beautiful sunset to end a day of hand-planting.
Bare yellow soil with ripped lines and sparse tree line in the distance
Barren paddock with the front of a car in the bottom left corner
Two men in hats and glasses standing behind a trailer full of seedlings
Two people on either side of a trailer filled with seedling trays
Acacia yorkrakinesis ('Soft Leaf Wodjil') growing in a planting row.
Measuring the height of a juvenile Acacia acuminata ('Jam Wattle').
Acacia neurophylla ('Wodjil') seedling hiding between two Acacia yorkrakinesis ('Soft Leaf Wodjil') shrubs.
Drone image of planting site with rows
Acacia shrub flagged with tape to mark the boundary of a monitoring plot.
Person standing in the distance of a paddock
Great planting row of Acacia shrubs.
Drone photo of yellow, sandy paddock
Parallel veins on the leaf of an Acacia neurophylla ('Wodjil').
Trailer full of seedlings trays with a yellow seedling bucket
People standing around a white ute with seedlings on the back
A man wearing a black t-shirt with "PaperCut" written on the front flagged by two women wearing green shirts with "Carbon Positive Australia" on the front. All three are holding a seedling out to the camera.
Three women standing and smiling next to a ute tray full of seedlings.
Man standing on the back of a ute tray holding a tray of seedlings
Trays of seedlings on the back of a white truck
Mixed seedlings in a bucket with a pottiputki
Woman smiling for a photo standing on yellow soil with a pottiputki
Woman filling up her planting bucket with seedlings ready for planting from back of a ute.
Woman holding an Acacia acuminata seedling.
Hand with gardening glove holding sandalwood seeds
Woman standing smiling next to a shrub with a bucket full of seedlings.
Sunset over planting rows with pottiputkis