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.

We must intervene and develop a robust recovery plan if these ecological communities are to remain viable into the future.

During August, Friends of the Earth has been encouraging community members to join surveys to assess the health of snow gums in their community and favourite places. Here is the report from recent surveys at JB Plain in the Alpine National Park.

Over the weekend of August 22 and 23, citizen science surveys happened on the Bogong High Plains, at JB Plain near Dinner Plain, Lake Mountain and Wangaratta Ski Club.

12 people carried out surveys at JB Plain, a popular camping spot next to the Great Alpine road, between the village of Dinner Plain and the Mt Hotham ski resort. JB Plain is a gorgeous open snow meadow, dominated by poa grasses and vast numbers of summer wildflowers, and ringed by forests of snow gums.

We assessed three areas, surveying a total of 856 trees. Sadly only around a third of the trees were in a healthy condition. This is an area that has not been impacted by fire in recent years but dieback related deaths and decline was noticeable among the majority of the trees surveyed.

This highlights – yet again – the largely unnoticed ongoing collapse of these forests.

The surveys are part of an effort to engage the mountain loving community in caring for these forests while building better understanding of the state of the forests. Data gathered will be used in efforts by Friends of the Earth to have snow gum species as being threatened under federal environmental laws.

To find out more about the surveys please check here.

To find out more about the federal listing process please check here.

Results from the surveys at JB Plain.