The requirement to achieve safe, stable, and self-sustaining post-mining landscapes drives innovation in the iron ore sector, particularly regarding rehabilitation and closure. This paper presents the initial findings from the Yandi Growth Media Field Trial, known by the project team as ‘Project Grow’. This research initiative is designed by Okane Consultants, to inform closure planning at the BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) Yandi operation. Limited availability of topsoil is a common issue for rehabilitation and mine closure and creates the need for alternative growth media options. Project Grow’s overarching objective is to determine preferred growth media and rehabilitation methods for establishing vegetation communities at Yandi. The Project Grow field trial is a controlled, replicated study using 12 plots, each measuring 38 m by 38 m. The trial is specifically designed to test the performance of alternative growth media options for post-mining rehabilitation. The trial employs a factorial design that investigates the combined effects of five growth media ratios, two distinct seed mixes, and variable fertiliser treatments. The trial design centres on investigating various combinations of topsoil and Channel Iron Deposit (CID) waste material to test growth media efficacy. The two seed mixes used locally sourced native species and comprised: Mix 1 Grassland species (Triodia wiseana and T. pungens) and Mix 2 Grassland and Shrubland species (the two Triodia species plus key woody perennial species including Acacia, Eucalyptus, Grevillea, Hakea and Senna). The 0.2 m deep growth media plots, which were established using the hand broadcasting seeding technique, provide a robust platform to directly compare the efficacy of different materials blends available on-site, against ecological completion criteria. Initial monitoring was conducted four months (April 2025) and one year (December 2025) after seeding, confirmed excellent overall germination and robust establishment across the trial. The results underscore the critical role of topsoil in supporting early ecological recovery, with the beneficial effect clearly evident in the mixed material blends, although diminishing as the proportion of topsoil is reduced. Blends between 100 per cent and approximately 60 per cent topsoil showed acceptable initial vegetation establishment, indicating the CID material as a viable growth medium alternative up to a proportion of approximately 40 per cent. Assessments were made regarding fertiliser application, impact of a residual native seed bank from the topsoil, and observations of colonising fauna (birds, bees, and lizards), providing encouraging early indicators of restored ecological function. The ongoing monitoring program for Project Grow will continue to track the long-term resilience and viability of these established vegetation communities. This research provides novel, evidence-based data directly quantifying the environmental and economic trade-offs of using alternative growth media, generating a scalable best-practice approach critical for sustainable closure of future open pit iron ore landforms.