Restoring a Refuge: Forest Farm’s Journey to Koala Habitat Recovery.

Certified Environmental Account | Forest Farm Natural Capital (AU00063)

Tucked into the forested hills of Tintenbar on Bundjalung Country, northern New South Wales, Forest Farm is more than just a piece of land – it’s a story of ecological renewal, driven by a family’s commitment to restoration.

Once a mixed-use property used for cattle grazing and timber production, Forest Farm has undergone a significant transformation since its acquisition in 2016. Today, this 112-hectare property is managed primarily for conservation. Strategic efforts by the landholders – Including the removal of cattle from sensitive areas, weed control, revegetation, and assisted natural regeneration – are steadily returning the land to a state where native species can thrive.

And the change is already being felt. With its varied forest types, riparian zones, and forested wetlands, Forest Farm offers the kind of habitat that holds promise for one of Australia’s most iconic and vulnerable species: the koala. Encouragingly, recent koala sightings on the property confirm that the restoration work is beginning to pay off, with animals once again moving through and making use of the recovering habitat.

This work is deeply personal. Forest Farm is family-owned and operated, and one family member, Matthew Herington, is also an Accounting for Nature® Accredited Expert. His expertise in environmental assessment and monitoring has helped guide the development of the property’s Certified Environmental Account – ensuring it meets the highest scientific standards while reflecting the landholders’ deep connection to place.

“We see Forest Farm as a long-term investment in nature. Our goal is to restore the land’s ecological value and leave it in better shape than we found it – for wildlife, for future generations, and for the health of the broader landscape.”
— The Herington Family, Forest Farm Natural Capital

Measuring what matters: A Certified Environmental Account

Forest Farm’s landholders, the Herington family, chose to establish an Environmental Account through the Accounting for Nature® Framework to understand and track the impact of their work. Certified in May 2025, the account provides scientifically robust, standardised data on the condition of the property’s koala population and habitat using an Accredited Method co-developed by the Queensland Trust for Nature, GreenCollar, and WWF-Australia.

Two distinct Econd® scores were produced:

• Koala Population: 0/100
  While no activity was formally recorded during the baseline survey, some signs, like scratch marks on trees, suggest koalas may already be passing through parts of the landscape. The score reflects a property in transition, where habitat is being restored but populations are yet to return.

• Koala Habitat Condition: 43/100
  This score shows a landscape with significant ecological potential. The highest scoring areas were the eucalypt-dominated ex-plantation zones (Econd®: 56), which offer suitable structure and food sources for koalas. Lower scores were found in the cleared and hoop pine areas, where habitat condition remains poor but restoration efforts are underway.

From baseline to biodiversity

This Environmental Account represents a critical baseline – a scientifically defensible starting point from which change can be measured over time. It allows Forest Farm’s landholders to make informed decisions, track progress, and adapt their restoration approach based on data.

It also contributes to a growing movement of land stewards who are working to restore Australia’s natural capital. In regions where native flora and fauna remain under threat, accounts like this offer an important tool for guiding action and capturing progress.

At Forest Farm, the vision is clear: to create a high-quality, resilient natural environment that can support a diversity of native species, especially those, like the koala, that need safe, connected habitat to survive. The recent sightings are a hopeful sign that the property’s restoration journey is already creating meaningful outcomes for wildlife.

The journey will take time, but the foundation is now in place.

Learn more about Certified Environmental Accounts and how they’re helping land managers measure and improve the condition of natural assets.