The Biodiversity Project
From 2020 – 2026, Country Road and Landcare Australia partnered on The Biodiversity Project to improve ecological values on cotton farms, focusing on the Namoi and Macquarie Valley regions in NSW. These areas were identified as priorities for biodiversity enhancement due to the findings from ‘Management of Biodiversity in the Cotton Landscape: Iconic and Threatened Species’, 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 was used to identify regions and projects that best support environmental outcomes.
Country Road proudly supported the partnership via corporate contributions and funds raised through the sale of its famous Australian Cotton Heritage Sweats, providing over $1.3 million. The funding enabled Landcare Australia to work with the Australian cotton industry and deliver multiple biodiversity projects with participating cotton growers across a number of regions.
The partnership focused 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 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.
The initial project was implemented with 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.
From 2020 – 2026, Country Road and Landcare Australia partnered on The Biodiversity Project to improve ecological values on cotton farms, focusing on the Namoi and Macquarie Valley regions in NSW. These areas were identified as priorities for biodiversity enhancement due to the findings from ‘Management of Biodiversity in the Cotton Landscape: Iconic and Threatened Species’, 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 was used to identify regions and projects that best support environmental outcomes.
Country Road proudly supported the partnership via corporate contributions and funds raised through the sale of its famous Australian Cotton Heritage Sweats, providing over $1.3 million. The funding enabled Landcare Australia to work with the Australian cotton industry and deliver multiple biodiversity projects with participating cotton growers across a number of regions.
The partnership focused 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 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.
The initial project was implemented with 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.
Key program statistics (2020-2025):
- 20,300 seedlings planted
- 126.6 hectares of native vegetation replanted
- 15.5km of river frontage planted
- Supported regeneration projects on six family-owned cotton farms
- Raised over $1million of funding through brand contributions and sales of the Australian Cotton Heritage Sweat
- A fish friendly river crossing is being constructed at one of the project sites, which will allow for native fish species including Murray cod and golden perch to move further into the upper reaches of the Mooki River and will provide additional refuge and food sources for these species
- Created additional habitats for small birds, koalas and microbats
