Drone photo of cleared paddock surrounded by remnant bush with ranges in the background

Minang Noongar Country

Porongurup, WA

This 20-ha site is located directly adjacent to the Porongurup National Park in the Great Southern Region of WA. This area is known for its astounding biodiversity and is home to more than 750 native plant species, ten of which are endemic. Having previously been cleared for agriculture, the landholder wanted to restore biodiversity and canopy cover to the property, ultimately providing a place for tourists to camp amongst the trees.

The site was first planted in winter 2022, utilising a biodiverse species mix designed to replicate the surrounding vegetation. In total, 48 different species were planted, including Acacia leoderma, Kunzea recurva, Melaleuca violacea, Calothamnus quadrifidus and Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’). Nesting boxes have been installed across the property to provide shelter for native fauna while the habitat regenerates.

Seedling survival and germination since planting have been outstanding. We look forward to monitoring the progress of this spectacular site for many years to come.

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HA
PLANTED
KG
NATIVE SEED MIX
Species
Planted

Project overview

  • Planting type: Biodiverse Carbon
  • Region: Great Southern, WA
  • Planted: 2022
  • Size: 20 hectares
  • Seedling count: 1,150
  • Seed weight: 20 kg
  • ERF registered: Yes (Environmental Planting Method)
  • Legal permanence: 100 years

Latest news

Tall juvenile Eucalyptus tree growing in a planting row

Monitoring

Autumn 2023

Jess (CPOZ) and Liv (CPOZ) returned to the site to conduct a first-year comprehensive monitoring assessment. The results showed an average density of 27,800 seedlings/ha indicating tremendous seedling survival and seed germination.

Monitoring

November 2022

Initial survival monitoring was carried out three months after the initial planting. Results were outstanding with an estimated average germination of 85,889 seedlings/ha. This density will naturally decline as seedlings grow and compete for resources; however, it provides a promising glimpse of the future of the project.

Lady holding a tree planting device and a bucket of seedlings with mountain range in the background

Planting

August 2022

The site was first planted in winter 2022 using a combination of direct seeding and hand-planted seedlings. A mechanical seeder was used to sow approx. 20 kg of native seed mix which included Calothamnus quadrifidus, Corymbia calophylla (‘Marri’), Kunzea recurva, and several Acacia species. The CPOZ team were on site to hand-plant Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) and Melaleuca violacea seedlings in key pockets across the property.

Man pointing in a bare paddock with mountain range in the background

Site Assessment & Planning

December 2021

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 site’s natural vegetation, provide habitat for native fauna, sequester carbon, and create privacy for groups camping on the property. The landholder was heavily involved in the planning process and even donated some native seed he had collected from the remnant bush on the property.

What we planted

Acacia Illustration

Acacia

6 species
pioneer species
angiosperm (flowering)
nitrogen-fixing​

Illustration of an Allocasuarina

Allocasuarina

3 species
nitrogen-fixing​
hardwood tree
frost-tolerant

Banksia Illustration

Banksia

2 species
fire-adapted
hardy shrub/tree
angiosperm (flowering)

Eucalyptus Illustration

Eucalyptus

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

Illustration of a Hakea

Hakea

2 species
endemic to Australia
fire-adapted
hardy shrub

Melaleuca Illustration

Melaleuca

7 species
fire-adapted
salt-tolerant
angiosperm (flowering)

Native species illustration

Other

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

Project gallery

Bare paddock with ranges in the background
Porongurup site prior to planting.
Three people standing under a tree on a grassy paddock
Cath and Jess (CPOZ) chatting to Jack (landholder) about his plans for the property.
Drone photo of cleared paddock surrounded by remnant bush with ranges in the background
Porongurup site assessment
Man pointing in a bare paddock with mountain range in the background
Dr Geoff Woodall and Cath (CPOZ) during the initial site assessment.
Drone photo of agricultural land with some remnant trees
Drone view of the planting site.
Two women pointing and admiring the view of the Stirling Ranges from the the planting site.
Jess and Cath (CPOZ) admiring the view of the Stirling Ranges from the planting site.
Handful of native seed mix held
A handful of the biodiverse native seed mix that was sown across the site.
Drone photo of planting lines with mountain range in the background
The northern end of the planting site. Lines were ripped and sown with a biodiverse native seed mix.
Trailer full of seedling trays
Some of the 900+ Karri seedlings that were hand-planted across the site.
Lady filling up a bucket with seedlings from a tray on the ground
Cath (CPOZ) loading up with Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedlings.
Lady holding a tree planting device and a bucket of seedlings with mountain range in the background
KA (CPOZ) using a pottiputki to plant seedlings.
Seedling planted in a row with a person walking away in the background
A Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedling in the Karri woodland area of the site.
Eucalyptus diversicolor ('Karri') seedling amongst high seedling emergence.
Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedling amongst high seedling emergence.
Person drawing number onto plastic plot marker
Jess (CPOZ) setting up one of the permanent monitoring plot markers across the site.
Measuring tape next to small seedlings
Emerging Eucalyptus and Calothmanus seedlings.
seedlings growing in planting rows
Established and emerging seedlings from both direct seeded and hand-planted methods.
Person crouching across planting row in a paddock
Ebony (CPOZ) measuring out a transect to survey seedling emergence.
Woman standing between planting rows
Jess (CPOZ) standing at a monitoring plot between rows of seedlings.
close up of a hand behind a seedling planted into the ground
Small Taxandria seedling.
Close up of a thriving Eucalyptus diversicolor ('Karri') seedling.
Thriving Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedling.
Marri seedlings growing in planting row
Thriving juvenile Karri in planting row.
Tall juvenile Eucalyptus tree growing in a planting row
Tall and impressive Eucalyptus.
Healthy Acacia in planting row.
Healthy Acacia in planting row.
Planting row of Calothamnus and Melaleuca seedlings.
Great planting row of Calothamnus and Melaleuca seedlings.
Healthy growing Eucalyptus seedling.
Healthy growing Eucalyptus seedling.
Eucalyptus and Calothamnus seedlings growing together.
Eucalyptus and Calothamnus seedlings growing together.
Bare paddock with ranges in the background
Porongurup site prior to planting.
Three people standing under a tree on a grassy paddock
Cath and Jess (CPOZ) chatting to Jack (landholder) about his plans for the property.
Drone photo of cleared paddock surrounded by remnant bush with ranges in the background
Porongurup site assessment
Man pointing in a bare paddock with mountain range in the background
Dr Geoff Woodall and Cath (CPOZ) during the initial site assessment.
Drone photo of agricultural land with some remnant trees
Drone view of the planting site.
Two women pointing and admiring the view of the Stirling Ranges from the the planting site.
Jess and Cath (CPOZ) admiring the view of the Stirling Ranges from the planting site.
Handful of native seed mix held
A handful of the biodiverse native seed mix that was sown across the site.
Drone photo of planting lines with mountain range in the background
The northern end of the planting site. Lines were ripped and sown with a biodiverse native seed mix.
Trailer full of seedling trays
Some of the 900+ Karri seedlings that were hand-planted across the site.
Lady filling up a bucket with seedlings from a tray on the ground
Cath (CPOZ) loading up with Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedlings.
Lady holding a tree planting device and a bucket of seedlings with mountain range in the background
KA (CPOZ) using a pottiputki to plant seedlings.
Seedling planted in a row with a person walking away in the background
A Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedling in the Karri woodland area of the site.
Eucalyptus diversicolor ('Karri') seedling amongst high seedling emergence.
Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedling amongst high seedling emergence.
Person drawing number onto plastic plot marker
Jess (CPOZ) setting up one of the permanent monitoring plot markers across the site.
Measuring tape next to small seedlings
Emerging Eucalyptus and Calothmanus seedlings.
seedlings growing in planting rows
Established and emerging seedlings from both direct seeded and hand-planted methods.
Person crouching across planting row in a paddock
Ebony (CPOZ) measuring out a transect to survey seedling emergence.
Woman standing between planting rows
Jess (CPOZ) standing at a monitoring plot between rows of seedlings.
close up of a hand behind a seedling planted into the ground
Small Taxandria seedling.
Close up of a thriving Eucalyptus diversicolor ('Karri') seedling.
Thriving Eucalyptus diversicolor (‘Karri’) seedling.
Marri seedlings growing in planting row
Thriving juvenile Karri in planting row.
Tall juvenile Eucalyptus tree growing in a planting row
Tall and impressive Eucalyptus.
Healthy Acacia in planting row.
Healthy Acacia in planting row.
Planting row of Calothamnus and Melaleuca seedlings.
Great planting row of Calothamnus and Melaleuca seedlings.
Healthy growing Eucalyptus seedling.
Healthy growing Eucalyptus seedling.
Eucalyptus and Calothamnus seedlings growing together.
Eucalyptus and Calothamnus seedlings growing together.
Bare paddock with ranges in the background
Three people standing under a tree on a grassy paddock
Drone photo of cleared paddock surrounded by remnant bush with ranges in the background
Man pointing in a bare paddock with mountain range in the background
Drone photo of agricultural land with some remnant trees
Two women pointing and admiring the view of the Stirling Ranges from the the planting site.
Handful of native seed mix held
Drone photo of planting lines with mountain range in the background
Trailer full of seedling trays
Lady filling up a bucket with seedlings from a tray on the ground
Lady holding a tree planting device and a bucket of seedlings with mountain range in the background
Seedling planted in a row with a person walking away in the background
Eucalyptus diversicolor ('Karri') seedling amongst high seedling emergence.
Person drawing number onto plastic plot marker
Measuring tape next to small seedlings
seedlings growing in planting rows
Person crouching across planting row in a paddock
Woman standing between planting rows
close up of a hand behind a seedling planted into the ground
Close up of a thriving Eucalyptus diversicolor ('Karri') seedling.
Marri seedlings growing in planting row
Tall juvenile Eucalyptus tree growing in a planting row
Healthy Acacia in planting row.
Planting row of Calothamnus and Melaleuca seedlings.
Healthy growing Eucalyptus seedling.
Eucalyptus and Calothamnus seedlings growing together.