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Citizen science in the resorts – how healthy are snow gums?

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.

Over 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.

Read on to find out more.

Continue reading “Citizen science in the resorts – how healthy are snow gums?” →

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Campaign launch: Protecting Snow Gum Country

A campaign plan to gain federal (EPBC) listing of snow gums as threatened.

Snow gum woodlands and forests are a key vegetation community across the higher mountain country of south eastern Australia and the highlands of lutruwita / Tasmania. There are 6 subspecies of Snow Gum, but the most widespread is Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora.

While they are largely protected, a range of threats remain that impact on snow gums (including expansion of ski resorts, invasive species, and impacts from recreation activities). There are also two threatening processes are causing an existential threat to snow gum communities: the spread of dieback and more frequent and intense fires.

Friends of the Earth invites you to join the launch of our new campaign to gain protection of snow gums through federal listing on Wednesday June 17.

Continue reading “Campaign launch: Protecting Snow Gum Country” →

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Snow gum summit – final program launched

The second snow gum summit will happen on Ngarigo Country in Jindabyne over the weekend of March 14 and 15.

There will also be guided walks and a tree planting afternoon on monday March 16.

We are delighted to announce the line-up of speakers.

Continue reading “Snow gum summit – final program launched” →

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Snow gum summit tickets now on sale

The second snow gum summit will happen on Ngarigo Country in Jindabyne over the weekend of March 14 and 15 next year.

The first summit happened at Dinner Plain earlier this year, attracting about 100 people, who heard from wonderful speakers.

Tickets for the 2026 gathering have just gone on sale. Like the 2025 event, this is expected to sell out, so grab one today if you’re planning to attend.

Continue reading “Snow gum summit tickets now on sale” →

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Snow Gum Summit will return in 2026

Snow Gum Summit – Next Ascent: Protecting Alpine Landscapes

Friends of the Earth Melbourne is excited to share that we are organising a second Snow Gum Summit, which will take place in March 2026 on Ngarigo Country in Jindabyne. The Summit will bring people together from across the Australian Alps bioregion spanning Victoria, NSW and the ACT, to address the threats facing these iconic landscapes we all know and love.

Snow gum forests and woodlands are under accelerating stress from climate change, fire, and beetle-driven dieback. The widespread dieback is equivalent to that of a mass bleaching event of the Great Barrier Reef. Without bold interventions, these ecosystems face ecological collapse within our lifetimes.

The summit will happen over the weekend of March 14 and 15.

Continue reading “Snow Gum Summit will return in 2026” →

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Hike for the High Country.

Globally, Alpine Ecosystems are in trouble. Right now our snow gums, an iconic feature of the Australian alps, are facing a mass mortality event and are at risk of ecological collapse due to dieback and the impact of repeated bush fire.

You can help save our snow gums by planning a hike through the Australian Alps this walking season.  While you are walking, record your observations of snow gum dieback and fire impact via our citizen science initiatives.

Continue reading “Hike for the High Country.” →

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Good news – protection for snow gums gets closer

As you will know, winning a significant campaign can take years of work. I am really pleased to be able to tell you about some great developments on snow gums that we have recently helped achieve.

You may recall that Friends of the Earth (FoE) started working in the Victorian high country in 2021 because there was very limited forest campaign work going on in the north east at the time, and many dire threats of logging in special forests. We released the Icon at Risk report, which made it clear snow gum forests are facing an existential threat from climate change driven fire and expanded impact of dieback. We campaigned for an end to logging in the high country, and developed a rescue plan for snow gum forests.

During the campaign, we have had to deal with three different environment ministers on these issues. Each time we needed to get the new minister and their staff up to speed on the issue, then encourage them to act.

In February this year we hosted the first ever snow gum summit, which allowed us to build the profile of the campaign and give the government more detail about how they need to respond to protect snow gum forests.

And now, after four years of consistent work, we have some great news.

Continue reading “Good news – protection for snow gums gets closer” →

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Heading off ecological collapse in the mountains

Snow Gums are the classic alpine tree of the Australian High Country. And they’re now at risk.
Snow gums can survive fire. However, climate change driven fire seasons are leading to more frequent fire, which is causing more death of trees and changes to forest structure. Dieback, which is caused by a native beetle, but becoming more damaging due to the effects of climate change, is devastating large sections of the high country. In many places, localised ecological collapse is now occurring.

Continue reading “Heading off ecological collapse in the mountains” →

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