Biodiversity Markets for Profitability (NSW)
Project Overview
The Little River Landcare Group, in the Yeoval region of NSW, is leading the Biodiversity Markets for Profitability project which will support producers to access biodiversity markets by improving on-farm biodiversity management. Through the inclusion of biodiversity concepts in farm planning, pilot trials, and communication activities, it addresses landscape degradation while enhancing farm productivity and profitability.
Project Goals
- Improve biodiversity understanding and management.
- Increase producer participation in biodiversity markets.
- Trial an environmental planting site as a demonstration.
- Share learnings via case studies, workshops, and outreach.
Key Activities
- Biodiversity planning workshops.
- Site preparation and planting (white box grassy woodland restoration).
- Field days to share findings.
- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
- Publication of case studies.
Project Updates
Project Milestones
Little River Landcare has delivered four workshops to date as part of the project. Activities have included a project introduction and site visit to the pilot environmental planting site, training on property mapping and carbon opportunities with Renovo Ag, financial modelling of farm carbon scenarios, and an ecological site assessment and paddock walk. Attendance across the workshops ranged from 18 to 23 participants.
Field Visits and Evidence Gathering
Field-based activities have included a site visit to the pilot environmental planting site to examine the biodiversity benefits of Grassy Box Woodland restoration. An ecological site assessment and paddock walk were also undertaken, where an ecologist assessed four monitoring quadrats for plant species identification and confirmed tree and shrub species selection for future planting. Participants were able to observe the types of data being collected to support a Nature Repair Certificate.
Knowledge Sharing and Producer Engagement
Workshop participants received training from Renovo Ag on property mapping, carbon yield potential, biodiversity co-benefits, carbon market drivers and carbon credit opportunities. A key outcome has been improving landholders’ understanding of carbon opportunities on their own farms. Feedback has been highly positive, with 90% of participants indicating they would like more information. Participants also noted the value of the clear and transparent communication provided throughout the training program.
Moving Towards On-Ground Action
The project has progressed from knowledge building to informing future environmental planting and restoration activities. Ecological assessments have been completed to support species selection and site planning, providing the information needed to guide upcoming planting works and biodiversity outcomes on participating properties.