Recent research reviewing the costs and benefits of a carbon economy for the conservation of Australian biodiversity (Bradshaw etal) concluded that the most important area of work to mitigate climate impacts and protect and conserve biodiversity, is to plant diverse, resilient native vegetation linking existing patches of remnant vegetation to create living corridors.  Riparian zones are ideal locations in the landscape to achieve these aims, they are contiguous, clearly identifiable, and often parts of the farm landholders are prepared to manage differently within the context of their overall farm plan.  

The Rivers of Carbon project is working with landholders in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales to connect and rehabilitate riparian corridors to achieve these multiple benefits.  The project works within the context of the carbon economy, providing incentives for landholders to plant trees that they may later use as carbon offsets or credits.  By focusing on win:win outcomes, landholders can be financially supported in their restoration activities, while also mitigating greenhouse gases, sequestering carbon, creating terrestrial habitat for endangered species, improving water quality and boosting in-stream productivity.  In addition to the biophysical outcomes, is a communications effort that captures landholder experience and knowledge through stories, matches it with science, and shares it using a range of different techniques (workshops, social media, farm walks etc.).  This presentation will provide an overview of the Rivers of Carbon approach and will highlight the principles and science upon which it is based, as well as discussing why this type of project is needed to meet current river restoration and climate change challenges.

NB: This abstract was used for the International Riversymposium 2013 - I would like to submit if for it ASM as I will have new information to present and a full paper accompanying the presentation.  If there is a problem with this approach please let me know so that I can resubmit the abstract.