The Biodiversity Project with Country Road and Landcare Australia

Since 2020, Country Road and Landcare Australia have partnered on The Biodiversity Project to improve ecological values on cotton farms. The Biodiversity Project is currently focused on the Namoi and Macquarie Valley regions in NSW. These areas have been identified as priority for biodiversity enhancement due to the findings from ‘, a report developed by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), with support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Smart Farming Partnerships Initiative. This report has been used to identify regions and projects that best support environmental outcomes.
 

Country Road has proudly supported the partnership via corporate contributions and funds raised through the sale of its famous Australian Cotton Heritage Sweats, providing over $1.1 million since the partnership began. This level of funding provides Landcare Australia with the means to work with the Australian cotton industry to conduct multiple biodiversity projects with participating cotton growers across a number of regions.

This partnership has led with a focus on supporting otherwise hard-to-fund efforts with works on the first five properties in the Namoi Catchment including installation of bores to provide water for stock reducing their need to access the river, stock exclusion fencing, weed control, site preparation and planting in riparian areas with ongoing maintenance for 12 months post planting. This has resulted in improvements in biodiversity and habitat connectivity. Native species such as Coolabah, River Red Gum, River Oak, Yellow and Bimble Box were planted to support threatened, vulnerable and iconic fauna species while also providing benefits in sustainable farming such as reduced pesticide usage due to an increase in beneficiary species such as microbats, birds and native insects.

Engaging cotton growers in biodiversity restoration projects across Australia is part of Country Road’s commitment to supporting local communities and the environment.
As of 2025, over 20,000 seedlings have been planted across over 126 hectares of farmland. 

The initial project was implemented by the Kahl family in the Namoi Valley, NSW — a region significantly affected by biodiversity loss and in need of restoration. Proud third generation cotton farmers, the Kahl family worked with Landcare Australia, revegetating land adjoining the Namoi River that flows through their property. As the plantings establish and grow, so too will the benefits of the project, including increased habitat and shelter for threatened native animals such as Koala, Grey-crowned Babbler and the Little Pied Bat, reduced erosion along the riverbank, improved water quality and enhanced biodiversity. The Watson, Hamparsum, Pursehouse, Schwager and Falkiner farming families have implemented similar projects over recent years. 

Additional project plantings are planned for 2026 and beyond. These efforts will enhance biodiversity and habitat connectivity, support vulnerable and iconic fauna species such as threatened microbats while also providing benefits in sustainable farming.