Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.

Minang Noongar Country

Tootanellup, WA

This project is located near Rocky Gully in the Great Southern region of Western Australia and forms an important component of the Gondwana Link Project. The 50-hectare property was purchased by Green Skills, a local not-for-profit organisation, in 2020, with the aim to restore native habitat and provide a strategic link between the Tootanellup Nature Reserve and a Water and Rivers Commission Reserve. We have been working closely with Green Skills and Dr Geoff Woodall to restore native vegetation to 25 hectares of the property.

In 2021 the site was planted with a biodiverse species mix designed to replicate the surrounding marri woodland. Marri (Corymbia calophylla) is not only a high carbon species but provides an important food source for birds, including the endangered Carnaby’s cockatoo. In total, 79 different species were planted, including Corymbia calophylla (Marri) and several Acacias, Banksias, Hakeas, Melaleucas, and Xanthorrheas. Small mammal nesting boxes have been installed across the property to provide shelter while that habitat regenerates.

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NATIVE SEED MIX
Species
Planted

Project overview

  • Planting type: Biodiverse Carbon
  • Region: Great Southern, WA
  • Planted: 2021, 2022, 2024
  • Size: 25 hectares
  • Seedling count: 12,072
  • Seed weight: 20 kg
  • Partner: Green Skills
  • ERF registered: Yes (Environmental Planting Method)
  • Legal permanence: 100 years

Latest news

Infill planting

July 2024

The team from Green Skills and the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation Rangers hand-planted 3,200 native seedlings and 350 Macrozamia seeds to add density and biodiversity to specific areas of the site. The seedling mix included Banksia, Eucalyptus, and Melaleuca species. Swamp banksias (Banksia littoralis) were planted in the upper wetland area to improve the overall ecological value of the project.

Monitoring

March 2024

Liv (CPOZ) and Emily (APACE) completed the third-year monitoring assessment. The results showed an average density of 1,329 seedlings per hectare. The average tree height was 1.06m, an increase of 104% since last year‘s monitoring assessment. The tallest tree measured was a Marri (Corymbia calophylla) at 3.2 meters tall.

Woman standing next to tree

Monitoring

May 2023

The CPOZ team returned in May to complete a second-year monitoring assessment. The results indicated a high average survival rate of 84% and an average density of 1,696 seedlings/ha. The tallest tree was a Marri (Corymbia calophylla) at 1.7 metres.

Tambellup Rangers hand-planting seedlings in newly ripped planting rows.

Infill planting

August 2022

During winter, further planting was carried out by Green Skills, the Tambellup Rangers, Dr Geoff Woodall, and the CPOZ team. A combination of direct seeding and hand-planted seedlings was used to infill patchy areas across the site, as well as areas that were previously too wet to plant. In total, 5.7 kg of native seed and 8,920 seedlings from 23 unique species were planted.

Monitoring

April 2022

In early April, the CPOZ team established fourteen permanent monitoring plots across the planting site. These plots will be assessed regularly to track the growth and overall health of the site. Although there was some loss over the summer months, approximately 60,000 seedlings have established and are growing quickly – the tallest seedlings measured was an 80 centimetre Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’)!

Site visit

December 2021

CPOZ team members Jess, Cath & Alice, joined Dr Geoff Woodall on site to check in on progress. Initial monitoring indicated an extremely high seed germination rate (approx. 13,000 seedlings per hectare). This density is expected to decrease significantly over the coming months as the seedlings weather their first summer.

Planting

July 2021

Towards the end of a very wet winter, Dr Geoff Woodall and the Green Skills team planted almost 15 kilograms of native seed across the site. A mechanical seeder was towed behind a tractor, with seeds being planted in the loosened soil of the pre-ripped lines. This process proved challenging, with the tractor getting bogged multiple times throughout the week!

Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.

Site preparation

April-July 2021

To prepare for planting, pest control was undertaken and lines were mechanically ripped across the site. Ripping loosens the topsoil, making it easier for seedling roots to penetrate and plants to survive. The ripping process also increases water retention which is critical for seed germination and survival in the early years.

One man kneeling on one knee next to a fauna habitat box whilst another man is standing over the box holding the lid open

Fauna Shelter

May 2021

Alongside the team from Green Skills, the Mt Barker & Nowanup Noongar Rangers installed 11 nesting boxes in the remnant bush around the planting site. These boxes will provide shelter for native fauna as the new trees grow. Six of the boxes were installed in trees for Brush-Tailed Phascogales. The remaining five boxes were placed closer to ground level for Mardo (Yellow-footed antechinus).

Two men standing overlooking a cleared area of land.

Site Assessment & Planning

November 2020

The initial site assessment, planning, and species selection was conducted by WA reforestation expert, Dr Geoff Woodall. The species mix was designed to replicate the remnant woodland surrounding the site, provide habitat for native fauna, and sequester carbon. A total of 79 native species, including Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’) and several Eucalyptus, Hakeas, and Melaleucas, were selected, and seed orders were placed with local seed providers.

What we planted

Acacia

10 species
small tree
nitrogen-fixing
pioneer species

Allocasuarina

1 species
nitrogen-fixing​
hardwood tree
frost-tolerant

Banksia

4 species
fire-adapted
hardy plant
shrub/tree form

Casuarina

1 species
salt and drought tolerant
attracts native birds
nitrogen converter

Eucalyptus

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

Hakea

6 species
endemic to Australia
fire-adapted
hardy shrub

Melaleuca

10 species
endemic to Australia
fire-adapted
hardy shrub

Other

43 species
all native to the area
ground & canopy cover
habitat for native fauna

Project gallery

two people standing over a car
Site assessment and planning (Photo: Basil Schur).
Two men standing overlooking a cleared area of land.
Dr Geoff Woodall and Basil Schur (Green Skills) during initial site assessment.
One man kneeling on one knee next to a fauna habitat box whilst another man is standing over the box holding the lid open
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats in the remnant bushland surround the project site (Photo: Basil Schur).
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats.
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats (Photo: Basil Schur).
Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.
The project area, ripped and ready for seeding (Photo: Green Skills).
Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.
The project area, lines ripped and ready for seeding (Photo: Green Skills)
Two men inspecting planting machine
Dr Geoff Woodall and Green Skills team member inspecting during planting (Photo: Green Skills).
Man standing next to a direct seeding machine
Dr Geoff Woodall with the direct seeding machine used to plant the site (Photo: Green Skills).
Planting tractor bogged in wet ground
The planting tractor bogged due to wet conditions (Photo: Green Skills).
Close up of two young native Australian seedlings with man's hand reaching out to touch the seedling in the background
Hakea lissocarpha (‘Honey bush’) and Hakea undulata (‘Wavy-leaved hakea’) seedlings germinated from seed planted approx. 6 months prior.
View of the Tootanellup site a few months post planting with remnant vegetation present
View from the southern end of the planting site.
Small germinated seed with three leaves present at the Tootanellup planting site
An emerging Eucalyptus marginata (‘jarrah’) seedling.
Three people in paddock with low lying grass. Two are standing, one is crouching down taking a photo of a seedling which has germinated in a planting row.
Dr. Geoff Woodall with CPOZ team members, Cath and Jess, assessing germination rates during the site visit.
Native Australian seedling in a paddock with a person's booted feet in the background
A healthy Corymbia callophylla (‘Marri’) seedling.
Three team members taking a selfie at the Tootanellup project site wearing new carbon positive Australia shirts
The CPOZ team enjoying the sun and high seedling germination.
Aerial photo of dry paddock with planting rows
Drone image looking south across the planting site.
Measuring stick behind a Corymbia calophylla ('Marri') seedling
The tallest seedling spotted on site – an 80cm tall Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’).
Hakea prostrata alongside an emerging Melaleuca seedling.
Hakea prostrata alongside an emerging Melaleuca seedling.
Close up of a Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
Close up of a Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’) seedling.
A thriving Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
A thriving Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’) seedling.
Banksia grandis ('Bull banksia') with Melaleuca and Eucalyptus seedlings in the background growing in planting rows.
A healthy Banksia grandis (‘Bull banksia’) with Melaleuca and Eucalyptus seedlings in the background.
Measuring the height of an Acacia myrtifolia ('Myrtle Wattle)' seedling.
Measuring the height of an Acacia myrtifolia (‘Myrtle Wattle)’ seedling.
Monitoring plot measure out with orange tape
One of the 14 permanent monitoring plots established during the assessment.
Young woman standing in a field holding a measuring stick to conduct monitoring at a carbon planting site.
CPOZ team member, Jess, during the monitoring assessment.
A Eucalyptus decipiens ('Redheart') seedling in a monitoring plot marked out by orange tape
A Eucalyptus decipiens (‘Redheart’) seedling in one of the plots.
Hand holding a red leaf on a A Corymbia calophylla ('Marri') seedling.
A Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’) seedling.
An Acacia stenoptera ('Narrow-winged wattle') seedling.
An Acacia stenoptera (‘Narrow-winged wattle’) seedling.
Close of up a hand holding an Acacia pulchella ('Prickly Moses Wattle') branch with it's characteristic spikes.
Close of up an Acacia pulchella (‘Prickly Moses Wattle’) branch with it’s characteristic spikes.
Close up of a small Kennedia prostrata ('Running Postman') seedling growing in rocky ground.
A small Kennedia prostrata (‘Running Postman’) seedling.
measuring stick lying next to a Eucalyptus wandoo ('White Gum') seedling.
A beautiful Eucalyptus wandoo (‘White Gum’) in one of the monitoring plots.
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting seedlings in newly ripped planting rows.
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting seedlings in newly ripped planting rows (Photo: Basil Schur).
One of the Tambellup Rangers refilling a planting bucket with seedlings
One of the Tambellup Rangers refilling a planting bucket with seedlings (Photo: Basil Schur).
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting near the end of a planting row
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting near the end of a planting row (Photo: Basil Schur).
drone shot of a planting site showing newly ripped planting lines next to remnant bushland.
Planting site showing newly ripped planting lines next to remnant bushland.
Two women smiling ready to start hand-planting.
KA and Cath (CPOZ) getting ready to start hand-planting.
Drone shot of women standing in planting row with planting equipment.
KA (CPOZ) standing in a previously planted area of the site.
Two women removing seedlings from trays and filling up buckets for planting.
KA and Cath (CPOZ) removing seedlings from trays and filling up buckets for planting.
Two women walking through a planting site
Jess and Cath (CPOZ) checking out previously planted areas.
Close up of a hand-planted seedling in a planting row
One of the hand-planted native seedlings.
Two women packing seedling buckets
Jess and KA (CPOZ) collecting more seedlings.
Waterlogging visible behind planting rows on the site.
Waterlogging visible behind planting rows on the site.
Drone shot of emus walking across planting rows.
Drone shot of emus walking across planting rows.
Close up of Eucalyptus seedling
Close-up of a healthy Eucalyptus.
trees in planting row
Eucalyptus growing tall in planting row.
Woman standing next to small tree
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to an Acacia myrtifolia.
tree in planting row
Thriving Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’) growing tall and wide.
Woman standing next to tree
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to an Acacia myrtifolia, ready to measure its impressive height.
seedlings in planting rows
Drone shot of seedlings successfully growing in planting rows.
Close up of small tree
Healthy growing Banksia with morning dew on its leaves.
Large and small tree in planting row
Impressively tall Eucalyptus.
Drone image of trees growing
Drone shot of the planting site in 2024.
Women standing next to a tall tree
Liv (CPOZ) standing next to an impressively tall Eucalyptus.
Healthy Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
A healthy Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’).
Trees growing along rows with grey sky.
Part of the planting area showing fantastic growth.
Woman admiring the growth of an Acacia myrtifolia.
Emily (APACE) admiring the growth of an Acacia myrtifolia.
People hand-planting along planting rows with pottiputkis.
Green Skills and Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation Rangers hand-planting (Photo: Basil Schur).
Man standing with a bucket full of seedlings in an open paddock with mature trees in the background.
One of the 2024 planting team members ready to plant a full bucket of seedlings (Photo: Basil Schur).
Two men filling up red seedling buckets with seedlings.
2024 planting team members filling up their seedling buckets (Photo: Basil Schur).
Women smiling holding a Macrozamia riedlei seed, pottiputki and bucket.
One of the 2024 planting team members planting Macrozamia riedlei seeds (Photo: Basil Schur).
Two men standing with pottiputkis and seedling buckets.
Members of the 2024 planting team ready to start hand-planting (Photo: Basil Schur).
two people standing over a car
Site assessment and planning (Photo: Basil Schur).
Two men standing overlooking a cleared area of land.
Dr Geoff Woodall and Basil Schur (Green Skills) during initial site assessment.
One man kneeling on one knee next to a fauna habitat box whilst another man is standing over the box holding the lid open
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats in the remnant bushland surround the project site (Photo: Basil Schur).
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats.
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats (Photo: Basil Schur).
Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.
The project area, ripped and ready for seeding (Photo: Green Skills).
Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.
The project area, lines ripped and ready for seeding (Photo: Green Skills)
Two men inspecting planting machine
Dr Geoff Woodall and Green Skills team member inspecting during planting (Photo: Green Skills).
Man standing next to a direct seeding machine
Dr Geoff Woodall with the direct seeding machine used to plant the site (Photo: Green Skills).
Planting tractor bogged in wet ground
The planting tractor bogged due to wet conditions (Photo: Green Skills).
Close up of two young native Australian seedlings with man's hand reaching out to touch the seedling in the background
Hakea lissocarpha (‘Honey bush’) and Hakea undulata (‘Wavy-leaved hakea’) seedlings germinated from seed planted approx. 6 months prior.
View of the Tootanellup site a few months post planting with remnant vegetation present
View from the southern end of the planting site.
Small germinated seed with three leaves present at the Tootanellup planting site
An emerging Eucalyptus marginata (‘jarrah’) seedling.
Three people in paddock with low lying grass. Two are standing, one is crouching down taking a photo of a seedling which has germinated in a planting row.
Dr. Geoff Woodall with CPOZ team members, Cath and Jess, assessing germination rates during the site visit.
Native Australian seedling in a paddock with a person's booted feet in the background
A healthy Corymbia callophylla (‘Marri’) seedling.
Three team members taking a selfie at the Tootanellup project site wearing new carbon positive Australia shirts
The CPOZ team enjoying the sun and high seedling germination.
Aerial photo of dry paddock with planting rows
Drone image looking south across the planting site.
Measuring stick behind a Corymbia calophylla ('Marri') seedling
The tallest seedling spotted on site – an 80cm tall Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’).
Hakea prostrata alongside an emerging Melaleuca seedling.
Hakea prostrata alongside an emerging Melaleuca seedling.
Close up of a Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
Close up of a Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’) seedling.
A thriving Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
A thriving Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’) seedling.
Banksia grandis ('Bull banksia') with Melaleuca and Eucalyptus seedlings in the background growing in planting rows.
A healthy Banksia grandis (‘Bull banksia’) with Melaleuca and Eucalyptus seedlings in the background.
Measuring the height of an Acacia myrtifolia ('Myrtle Wattle)' seedling.
Measuring the height of an Acacia myrtifolia (‘Myrtle Wattle)’ seedling.
Monitoring plot measure out with orange tape
One of the 14 permanent monitoring plots established during the assessment.
Young woman standing in a field holding a measuring stick to conduct monitoring at a carbon planting site.
CPOZ team member, Jess, during the monitoring assessment.
A Eucalyptus decipiens ('Redheart') seedling in a monitoring plot marked out by orange tape
A Eucalyptus decipiens (‘Redheart’) seedling in one of the plots.
Hand holding a red leaf on a A Corymbia calophylla ('Marri') seedling.
A Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’) seedling.
An Acacia stenoptera ('Narrow-winged wattle') seedling.
An Acacia stenoptera (‘Narrow-winged wattle’) seedling.
Close of up a hand holding an Acacia pulchella ('Prickly Moses Wattle') branch with it's characteristic spikes.
Close of up an Acacia pulchella (‘Prickly Moses Wattle’) branch with it’s characteristic spikes.
Close up of a small Kennedia prostrata ('Running Postman') seedling growing in rocky ground.
A small Kennedia prostrata (‘Running Postman’) seedling.
measuring stick lying next to a Eucalyptus wandoo ('White Gum') seedling.
A beautiful Eucalyptus wandoo (‘White Gum’) in one of the monitoring plots.
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting seedlings in newly ripped planting rows.
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting seedlings in newly ripped planting rows (Photo: Basil Schur).
One of the Tambellup Rangers refilling a planting bucket with seedlings
One of the Tambellup Rangers refilling a planting bucket with seedlings (Photo: Basil Schur).
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting near the end of a planting row
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting near the end of a planting row (Photo: Basil Schur).
drone shot of a planting site showing newly ripped planting lines next to remnant bushland.
Planting site showing newly ripped planting lines next to remnant bushland.
Two women smiling ready to start hand-planting.
KA and Cath (CPOZ) getting ready to start hand-planting.
Drone shot of women standing in planting row with planting equipment.
KA (CPOZ) standing in a previously planted area of the site.
Two women removing seedlings from trays and filling up buckets for planting.
KA and Cath (CPOZ) removing seedlings from trays and filling up buckets for planting.
Two women walking through a planting site
Jess and Cath (CPOZ) checking out previously planted areas.
Close up of a hand-planted seedling in a planting row
One of the hand-planted native seedlings.
Two women packing seedling buckets
Jess and KA (CPOZ) collecting more seedlings.
Waterlogging visible behind planting rows on the site.
Waterlogging visible behind planting rows on the site.
Drone shot of emus walking across planting rows.
Drone shot of emus walking across planting rows.
Close up of Eucalyptus seedling
Close-up of a healthy Eucalyptus.
trees in planting row
Eucalyptus growing tall in planting row.
Woman standing next to small tree
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to an Acacia myrtifolia.
tree in planting row
Thriving Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’) growing tall and wide.
Woman standing next to tree
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to an Acacia myrtifolia, ready to measure its impressive height.
seedlings in planting rows
Drone shot of seedlings successfully growing in planting rows.
Close up of small tree
Healthy growing Banksia with morning dew on its leaves.
Large and small tree in planting row
Impressively tall Eucalyptus.
Drone image of trees growing
Drone shot of the planting site in 2024.
Women standing next to a tall tree
Liv (CPOZ) standing next to an impressively tall Eucalyptus.
Healthy Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
A healthy Daviesia cordata (‘Bookleaf’).
Trees growing along rows with grey sky.
Part of the planting area showing fantastic growth.
Woman admiring the growth of an Acacia myrtifolia.
Emily (APACE) admiring the growth of an Acacia myrtifolia.
People hand-planting along planting rows with pottiputkis.
Green Skills and Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation Rangers hand-planting (Photo: Basil Schur).
Man standing with a bucket full of seedlings in an open paddock with mature trees in the background.
One of the 2024 planting team members ready to plant a full bucket of seedlings (Photo: Basil Schur).
Two men filling up red seedling buckets with seedlings.
2024 planting team members filling up their seedling buckets (Photo: Basil Schur).
Women smiling holding a Macrozamia riedlei seed, pottiputki and bucket.
One of the 2024 planting team members planting Macrozamia riedlei seeds (Photo: Basil Schur).
Two men standing with pottiputkis and seedling buckets.
Members of the 2024 planting team ready to start hand-planting (Photo: Basil Schur).
two people standing over a car
Two men standing overlooking a cleared area of land.
One man kneeling on one knee next to a fauna habitat box whilst another man is standing over the box holding the lid open
Mt Barker Noongar Rangers installing fauna habitats.
Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.
Aerial landscape shot of remnant bushland and cleared land about to be planted.
Two men inspecting planting machine
Man standing next to a direct seeding machine
Planting tractor bogged in wet ground
Close up of two young native Australian seedlings with man's hand reaching out to touch the seedling in the background
View of the Tootanellup site a few months post planting with remnant vegetation present
Small germinated seed with three leaves present at the Tootanellup planting site
Three people in paddock with low lying grass. Two are standing, one is crouching down taking a photo of a seedling which has germinated in a planting row.
Native Australian seedling in a paddock with a person's booted feet in the background
Three team members taking a selfie at the Tootanellup project site wearing new carbon positive Australia shirts
Aerial photo of dry paddock with planting rows
Measuring stick behind a Corymbia calophylla ('Marri') seedling
Hakea prostrata alongside an emerging Melaleuca seedling.
Close up of a Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
A thriving Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
Banksia grandis ('Bull banksia') with Melaleuca and Eucalyptus seedlings in the background growing in planting rows.
Measuring the height of an Acacia myrtifolia ('Myrtle Wattle)' seedling.
Monitoring plot measure out with orange tape
Young woman standing in a field holding a measuring stick to conduct monitoring at a carbon planting site.
A Eucalyptus decipiens ('Redheart') seedling in a monitoring plot marked out by orange tape
Hand holding a red leaf on a A Corymbia calophylla ('Marri') seedling.
An Acacia stenoptera ('Narrow-winged wattle') seedling.
Close of up a hand holding an Acacia pulchella ('Prickly Moses Wattle') branch with it's characteristic spikes.
Close up of a small Kennedia prostrata ('Running Postman') seedling growing in rocky ground.
measuring stick lying next to a Eucalyptus wandoo ('White Gum') seedling.
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting seedlings in newly ripped planting rows.
One of the Tambellup Rangers refilling a planting bucket with seedlings
Tambellup Rangers hand-planting near the end of a planting row
drone shot of a planting site showing newly ripped planting lines next to remnant bushland.
Two women smiling ready to start hand-planting.
Drone shot of women standing in planting row with planting equipment.
Two women removing seedlings from trays and filling up buckets for planting.
Two women walking through a planting site
Close up of a hand-planted seedling in a planting row
Two women packing seedling buckets
Waterlogging visible behind planting rows on the site.
Drone shot of emus walking across planting rows.
Close up of Eucalyptus seedling
trees in planting row
Woman standing next to small tree
tree in planting row
Woman standing next to tree
seedlings in planting rows
Close up of small tree
Large and small tree in planting row
Drone image of trees growing
Women standing next to a tall tree
Healthy Daviesia cordata ('Bookleaf') seedling.
Trees growing along rows with grey sky.
Woman admiring the growth of an Acacia myrtifolia.
People hand-planting along planting rows with pottiputkis.
Man standing with a bucket full of seedlings in an open paddock with mature trees in the background.
Two men filling up red seedling buckets with seedlings.
Women smiling holding a Macrozamia riedlei seed, pottiputki and bucket.
Two men standing with pottiputkis and seedling buckets.