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snow gums

First snow gum survey results – Dinner Plain

During the month of August, Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join a series of surveys to help determine the health of snow gum forests.

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. The surveys are intended to give a sense of how the forests are faring in multiple areas.

The surveys will happen through the month of August. To find out more and get involved, please check here.

Here is a quick report on the first set of surveys.

Continue reading “First snow gum survey results – Dinner Plain” →

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Snow gum surveys at Mt Stirling

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.

During August 2026 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. One of these surveys will happen at Mt Stirling alpine resort on saturday August 1.

Continue reading “Snow gum surveys at Mt Stirling” →

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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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Defending the mountain

I live on Dja Dja Wurrung country in central Victoria. When I need a bit of mountain time, I head to Mt Macedon for some cooler air and deep green forests. The two small pockets of snow gum that exist on the highest points of the range always draw me, and it is a treat to wander through vigorous regrowth forests of snow gum intermixed with alpine ash.

I just spent the better part of a week trying to stop Parks Victoria from destroying almost a hectare of snow gum forest on the Macedon summit in order to restore a historic view towards Melbourne.

Despite a spirited campaign led by local people, contractors devastated the slopes immediately south of the summit last Friday (April 17). On the Sunday, a planned community rally went ahead and turned into something of a vigil to reflect on the destruction that had just happened. There was grief, sadness, anger and determination. What really struck me was the depth of feeling that so many people expressed for the mountain. Many of us see the mountain as a personal refuge. This destruction of a rare forest has impacted many on a deep level. I heard so many stories of people’s personal connection to the mountain last week.

If you are one of those people I would welcome your story for inclusion here. Send it through: cam.walker@foe.org.au

Continue reading “Defending the mountain” →

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A final attempt to save snow gums on Mt Macedon

For the past 2 days, community members from Melbourne and the area around Mt Macedon have occupied an area on the mountain where up to 0.8 hectares of snow gum woodland is scheduled to be cleared in order to reopen a view to Melbourne.

The snow gum woodlands on the Mt Macedon Range are isolated and unique, and part of only about 20 hectares of this vegetation type left in central and western Victoria.

However it seems that logging will start tomorrow (April 17).

Continue reading “A final attempt to save snow gums on Mt Macedon” →

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The snow gum summit declaration

Friends of the Earth recently hosted the second ‘snow gum summit’. It was held in Jindabyne and around 120 people gathered to hear from experts in the fields of snow gum die back and the threats of more frequent and intense wild fire.

There was a strong First Nation presence at the forum, which is reflected in the summit statement, reprinted below.

Continue reading “The snow gum summit declaration” →

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Snow gum summit: Scientists warn climate change threatens ecosystems and water security

Top scientists have issued a dire warning that the widespread death of key eucalypt species in Australian ecosystems could be imminent, due to global heating. Scientists from leading institutions gathered at the Snow Gum Summit in Jindabyne last weekend March 14-15, 2026 to discuss combating the loss of an iconic tree of the Australian Alps, the Snow Gum.

Dr Matthew Brookhouse, a leading researcher investigating snow gum die-back at ANU, said proactive investment from government and industry was needed to contend with the unprecedented territory researchers and land managers are navigating.

“This is not just about snow gums – this is about climate affected change in ecosystems. This is a real warning. Wherever you are, die-back events could be coming for you,” said Dr Brookhouse.

The Snow Gum Summit, convened by Friends of the Earth Melbourne, was the second convergence since 2025 of top academics from Australian National University, Curtin University and Latrobe University, as well as ecologists from land management organisations from the ACT, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Ngarigo Custodians and Taungurung Land & Waters Council also spoke powerfully on the rights and capacities of First Peoples to respond to ecological challenges in the Alps.

Continue reading “Snow gum summit: Scientists warn climate change threatens ecosystems and water security” →

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Listing snow gums as a threatened ecological community

Australia’s alpine landscape is a living archive of our continent’s cultural and environmental history. These stories can be found in First Nations Cultural Heritage, glacial landscape features, fossilised fish bones, and the fascinating physiology of our endemic alpine species. In recognition of its unique social, ecological and aesthetic values, the Alps are recognised as a National Heritage Place and largely protected in National Parks.

However, these measures have been insufficient to hold back the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, including rapid ecological decline in Snow Gum Woodlands. We are now seeing the beginning of ecosystem collapse – 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.

The first step towards a coordinated recovery effort is to recognise the risk of extinction nationally. This will trigger the development of a national recovery plan, increase opportunities for funding, and support research, monitoring, and management interventions.

Friends of the Earth has initiated a plan to have snow gum woodlands recognised as a ‘Threatened Ecological Community‘ under federal environment laws.

You can add your voice at support the proposal by signing this open letter.

If you are a researcher and would like to actively contribute your skills and experience to the application to list snow gums under the EPBC, please fill out this form so we can get in touch to discuss.

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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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Speakers announced for snow gum summit

Friends of the Earth will be hosting the 2nd snow gum summit in mid March. You can read a report on the first summit, which happened at Dinner Plain in Victoria in February 2025.

It will take place over the weekend of March 14 and 15 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.

There will also be some day walks on the Monday March 16 – details to be announced shortly.

We are delighted to be able to announce the line up of confirmed speakers. They include:

Continue reading “Speakers announced for snow gum summit” →

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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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