A new project will seek to practice regenerative forestry in Trentham to maintain a sustainable source of firewood and timber for construction into the future.
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Recently receiving almost $10,000 of funding from the Hepburn Wind Impact Fund to kick start the project, the Trentham Sustainability Group will work in partnership with Central Highlands-based company wood4good to engage landholders and deliver the project.
Energy needs are met in Hepburn Shire by natural gas, electricity, firewood, diesel and transport fuels (petrol, diesel and LPG), with roughly 1870 TeraJoules of energy used each year.
About a third of the shire's energy needs come from 'stationary' energy sources that power homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Firewood is a large component of the shire's stationary energy mix, at almost 22 per cent.
A survey conducted in 2018 found almost 60 per cent of households in the shire use wood to heat their homes, predominantly sourced from fallen timber on farm land.
The Trentham Carbon Forestry Project will seek to support the growth of local woodlots through the practice of regenerative forestry.
This involves planting new trees and protecting some existing trees while selectively harvesting others.
This approach can enhance carbon sequestration, improve biodiversity and build sustainable sources of firewood and construction materials.
Regenerative approaches to forestry can deliver financial benefits to property owners as well as benefits to local ecosystems and the wider environment
- Sebastian Klein
The project is being driven by Sebastian Klein, who sees numerous benefits for landowners and stakeholders.
"Regenerative approaches to forestry can deliver financial benefits to property owners as well as benefits to local ecosystems and the wider environment," he said.
Hepburn Wind Manager, Taryn Lane, said the project was an important part of the plan for the shire to reach its ambition to reach zero-net emissions by 2030.
"Hepburn Z-NET is a collective effort and it's exciting to see the local leadership from Trentham Sustainability Group to seek solutions to the tricky problem of firewood and the broader considerations of conservation and drawing down carbon."
A successful information session about agroforestry was hosted with Rowan Reid in March to gauge interest about the project.
Community will continue to be engaged as the project evolves, as well landholders and land managers across the district who are interested in the approach.
In addition to community engagement, the project will also develop a carbon sequestration project and enroll land owners with existing woodlots or an interest in establish one for local firewood and timber production.
To find out more about the program, visit: https://hepburnznet.org.au/program/trentham-carbon-forestry-project/.
