Honeysuckle Flat is the first of three planned restoration sites. Credit: Matthew Newton.
This area was once a native grassy woodland, but was cleared for grazing. Credit: Matthew Newton.
Because these open expanses have minimal native vegetation, there's little shelter or food, meaning small native mammals rarely pass through. Credit: Matthew Newton.
Human intervention is required to kickstart the revegetation and recovery process. Credit: Matthew Newton.
How it’s positive
Nature restoration
Habitat creation
Carbon sequestration
Improved soil health
Invasive species control
Improved water quality
Ecosystem
From degraded pasture to grassy woodland
Partners
Accounting for Nature
Pollination Foundation
Ecotec Environmental
Enviro-dynamics
Dates
Ongoing from 2023
Aim
To measure and track the restoration of ecosystems at The Quoin, and convert the value of the biodiversity uplift into credits, to fund further restoration work.
Approach
There are three areas at The Quoin particularly suitable for restoration. Once upon a time, these areas were native grassy woodlands and a seasonal wetland, but have since been both cleared and used for grazing and growing crops. As a result, these areas have experienced dramatic changes in nutrient status and microbial health, and are now open expanses with minimal native vegetation or small native mammals.
Human intervention is required to kickstart the revegetation and recovery process.
In early-2023, we utilised the Accounting for Nature® Framework to measure the biodiversity across The Quoin and to establish a Natural Capital Account for the property. This included surveying native vegetation, terrestrial fauna and aquatic fauna. Our account was registered in May 2024. These standards will now be used to measure the biodiversity baselines of our restoration sites to ensure the integrity and transparency of the data we collect.
As we carry out restoration work over the coming years, we’ll continue to measure each category using the same methods to understand the improvements, and ultimately convert the value of this uplift into credits. The revenue generated from our biodiversity credits will then be reinvested in ongoing restoration work, which will result in additional credits, and so on.
Significance
Bridging the $700 billion annual financing gap to preserve and protect nature will require collaboration, innovative financial products and high-integrity nature-tech tools.
We’re hopeful the emerging biodiversity credit market is one such opportunity, and will bring much-needed scalability to nature-positive work worldwide.