Regional NRM organisation Terrain NRM has launched a new biodiversity credit scheme designed to generate an income for landholders who restore, protect and improve rainforest habitat.

The newly launched Cassowary Credit scheme, designed specifically for Queensland’s Wet Tropics region will benefit one of the world’s oldest rainforests, where 20,000ha of unproductive land is being targeted for restoration.

Investors will earn Cassowary Credits.

A Cassowary Credit is a quantified improvement in rainforest habitat (vegetation) condition earned by landholders. Purchasers buy the verified improvements as credits.

Investing in Cassowary Credits will create positive results for nature. The scheme measures real change in terms of outcomes rather than just activities (such as the number of trees planted, or the area of land restored). Landholders or managers must use an approved methodology for projects on their land ranging from rainforest reforestation on cleared or heavily disturbed land to weed control to improve the condition of existing vegetation.