• The Australian Government is providing $23.5 million for improved on farm biodiversity through the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship’s Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot.
• The pilot will test processes and protocols that measure and reward farmers for undertaking mixed-species tree plantings on top of eligible carbon projects
• The goal is to deliver a system that will be respected by domestic and international markets

Applications for North Central region farmers to participate in the Australian Government’s $23.5 million Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot are now open.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said the Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot was key component of the government’s $34 million Agriculture Stewardship Package.
“When I first became Agriculture Minister, I had a belief and passion that Australian farmers should be rewarded for the stewardship of their land,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Through the world-leading work of the Australian National University, we now have a framework that will deliver a return to farmers, while also providing the right integrity to ultimately establish a robust marketplace.
“This doesn’t mean locking up the land and throwing away the key. This means planting trees on less productive land, such as gullies or hillsides, to deliver a return that is at or better than what the farmers would achieve under traditional farming methods.
“We’re also capping the program at between 5 to 200 hectares to guarantee farmers can continue to do what they do best: farm.
Member for Mallee, Anne Webster, said the program would benefit the entire region.“This is a practical program that will provide important new income options for our local farmers,” Dr Webster said.
“This is a world first initiative that brings together science and practical actions to protect our landscape.
“Critically, this pilot is designed to make environmental plantings a commercial proposition – one that delivers a genuine financial return for our farmers – in addition to the aesthetic, environmental and feel good benefits this delivers.
“I encourage every farmer in the North Central region to get involved and to continue to build our reputation as premium producers delivering clean and green food and fibre.”
For more information go to: www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculturestewardship

Fast Facts:
• Applications for the Carbon+Biodiversity Pilot Program close on 11 June 2021
• The Pilot is a key component of the Australian Government’s $34 million Agriculture Stewardship Package
• Six NRM regions across Australia have been selected to test the pilot:
o Burnett-Mary (QLD)
o Central West (NSW)
o North Central (VIC)
o North Tasmania (TAS)
o Eyre Peninsula (SA)
o South-West (WA)
• Regions have been selected, amongst other criteria, to trial the program across a range of jurisdictions, farming systems, and vegetation types