Snow gums are the iconic vegetation species of the Australian High country.

They are beautiful, vital for biodiversity and tourism, help hold snow pack which is released into river catchments, and hold deep cultural value for many people.

However, we are now seeing the beginning of ecosystem collapse across these forests – drought, dieback and successive fires have altered the structure, composition, and condition of snow gum woodlands dramatically.

Between now and the last weekend of August (29 & 30) we want to invite resort and mountain loving communities to join us for a couple of hours of citizen science to better understand the health of local snow gum forests. This can happen anywhere that snow gums grow naturally. This will involve walking (or possible skiing or snow shoeing) through an area of forest and recording the health of individual trees.

We already have events planned at:

  • Mt Hotham alpine resort
  • Dinner Plain
  • Thredbo alpine resort
  • a number of locations on the Bogong High Plains
  • Mt Macedon
  • Mt Stirling (AUG 1)

Plus a couple of extras still to be confirmed.

If you feel like organising an event, or just want to do some surveying with some mates, please get in touch asap: cam.walker@foe.org.au

You can read all about getting involved and why we are doing the surveys here.