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 have deep cultural and personal 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.

For the past 5 years, Friends of the Earth (FoE) has been working to gain protection for these forests from the twin threats of dieback and fire. A part of that work has involved hosting a series of surveys to determine the health of snow gums across the high country. This is a report on the surveys that were held in August and plans for further surveys in January.

Snow gum survey report back

Back in August we hosted community based citizen science surveys to gain a better understanding of the health of snow gums across the high country.

The first round of surveys in August saw almost 190 people join events in 19 locations, from Lake Mountain in Victoria to Namadgi national park in the ACT.

In total 10,291 individual trees were surveyed.

The sobering news is that, of the sites visited, slightly under 50% of trees were rated as Healthy.

You can find a report on the August surveys here.

ABOVE: surveying at JB Plain, Alpine national park

Next round of snow gum surveys – January

We are now organising another round of citizen science surveys during January 2027.

Our second round of surveys will add to the valuable data that was gathered in August and directly support our efforts to build political support for the EPBC application. This is an invite to get involved.

Please sign up if you would like to:

  • Find out more about hosting a survey – we will have an online briefing in December
  • Are keen and are ready to organise a local event
  • Are interested in joining a local event.

While we are proposing January 24/ 25 as the weekend for the surveys, you are most welcome to organise a local event whenever suits you during January.

Stay tuned for the snow gum roadshow!

We have done months of work on the EPBC application. Now its time to get back out in the hills.

In the new year we will host a Snow Gum roadtrip, from Naarm/ Melbourne, through the high country and upper Murray Valley to Jindabyne, then on to Canberra, where our open letter and postcards will be delivered to the federal environment minister (who is ultimately responsible for signing off on the EPBC listing). This will happen in April and May, after fire season and once the federal environment department is considering our application.

Each stop over in regional centres and mountain towns will feature inspiring films, art and speakers and campaign information.

If you might be interested in helping organise an event anywhere along that route, please get in touch. cam.walker@foe.org.au