AN INVESTMENT guide for growing trees for carbon and conservation in Central Victoria was launched at the Victorian Landcare Network Forum held at Bellinzona Grange Country Retreat last week.

Member for Ballarat East and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Geoff Howard encouraged central Victorian farmers to plant trees in preparation for climate change and open up a new income opportunity.

He said the investment guide showed how private investment in tree planting could assist in removing carbon from the atmosphere, while providing economic, social and environmental benefits to the region.

"Planting carbon sinks presents a fantastic opportunity to provide the greenhouse gas abatement the world is increasingly looking for, and feed a growing market," he said.

"Farmers are on the climate change front-line, and have strong reason to be part of tackling global warming."

Mr Howard said landholders also had an excellent opportunity to help Victoria limit the extent of climate change and open up a new market at the same time.

The guide follows the success of the Victorian Government's $2.3 million CarbonTender scheme, which is paying Victorian landholders to plant carbon sinks with native trees.