Building soil carbon through land management strategies

WHY THIS PROJECT IS NEEDED

Soil carbon is a vital indicator of soil health, significantly influencing land resilience and agricultural productivity. Enhancing soil carbon improves soil structure, fertility, and opens up opportunities for engaging in carbon sequestration projects and markets.

In short: This project aims to help NSW farmers, landowners, and advisors explore their soil carbon potential. Participants will learn what to expect for the Riverine Plains region regarding soil carbon and strategies to achieve these levels through effective management techniques.

By participating, local farmers in the Riverine Plains region will gain tailored insights and practical strategies to optimise soil carbon management and enhance overall land sustainability.

Project outcomes

This initiative provides NSW land managers with practical, science-based tools to explore their soil carbon potential. It includes a series of webinars developed in partnership with the Soil CRC, each supported by a factsheet that summarises key takeaways for on-farm application.

Soil data access and interpretation

Webinar 1: Soil data access to inform soil carbon management – hosted by the NSW Department of Industry and Regional Development
- Download the supporting factsheet

Webinar 2: Thinking about a soil carbon project? Understand soil data first – hosted by the NSW Department of Industry and Regional Development
- Download the supporting factsheet

Practical guidance on eligible new management activities for potential soil carbon projects

Webinar 3: Opportunities and practices for soil carbon management in the South West Slopes of NSW – hosted by Holbrook Landcare Network
- Download the supporting factsheet
Webinar 4: Opportunities and practices for soil carbon management in the Central West of NSW – hosted by Central West Farming Systems
- Download the supporting factsheet
Webinar 5: Building soil carbon in the Riverine Plains – hosted by Riverine Plains
- Download the supporting factsheet
Webinar 6: Opportunities and practices for soil carbon management in Southwest NSW and the Mallee – hosted by Mallee Sustainable Farming
- Download the supporting factsheet
Webinar 7: Opportunities and practices for soil carbon management in the Riverina region of NSW – hosted by FarmLink.
- Download the supporting factsheet

Lead Researchers for the Riverine Plains

Dr Karl Andersson (Soil Scientist – NSW DPIRD)

Karl is a soil scientist with 25 years of experience throughout NSW. Karl has worked in regions from the high rainfall to the semi-arid zones, in fields including soil mapping, agronomy, soil carbon, nutrient cycling, and irrigation, dryland and urban development. Based at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Karl works to enhance soil management practices within the NSW agricultural sector and is an experienced researcher and communicator of soil carbon information.

Dr Abe Gibson (Research Fellow – Southern Cross University)

Abe Gibson is a research fellow at Southern Cross University with extensive expertise in soil sciences, particularly focusing on soil chemistry, soil carbon sequestration, and climate change processes. His work emphasizes improving soil health and productivity, while exploring sustainable strategies to enhance carbon capture in agricultural systems. Abe's research aims to integrate these findings into practical management techniques for farmers, making a measurable impact on both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.

Other resources

Find out more

For further information. please email sayra@riverineplains.org.au

Project investment

This project is supported by NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water through the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program.

The webinar series is presented by the Soil CRC and their participants as part of the 'Soil carbon capacity building resources for farmers and advisors' project and is supported by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.