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.
Please read on to find out how you can be involved in protecting Snow Gum Country.
Background
After more than five years of work to see snow gums adequately protected, we are now pursuing the option of gaining threatened species listing for snow gums under federal environmental laws (called the EPBC).
If successful, this will help deliver:
· Legal protection and regulatory measures
· Greater access to funding for research and restoration
· National Coordination
· Public awareness and profile of snow gums
· Elaboration of a National Recovery Plan (and Recovery Team)
We believe this is the best chance we have to get the federal government's attention and channel sorely-needed funding to snow gum science and conservation work.
Get involved in the campaign
Here are some ways to get involved in the campaign.
1/ Sign the open letter
The first thing you can do is show your support for listing by signing our open letter to the federal environment minister.
This will demonstrate community support for the application to have snow gums listed under federal environment laws.
It would be great if you could share the letter with friends and family who also have a connection to snow gums and the high country. The more the sign ons, the greater the impact.
We will lodge the application for listing in March 2027.
2/ Post a photo of your favourite tree
There are many ways you can get involved to support the listing application – and here is our first action. We encourage you to join us.
We want to start to amplify the call for the federal government to respond to this issue and show that community members care.
A starting point is to share a photo of your favourite snow gum (possibly with you in the image), share it on social media, and tag the federal environment minister and us (Friends of the Earth Melbourne).
Full details on this action can be found here.
3/ Join the surveys of snow gum forests
During August 2026, and culminating with events across 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.
So far we have organisers who will host events at the following resorts and mountains. We will add details and links to rsvp to each event as details are confirmed.
VIC
Baw Baw resort
Full details soon.
Mt Hotham alpine resort
Save Our Snow Gums Survey, 2pm Saturday 29 August 2026, Mt Hotham.
Love Snow Gums and want to help protect them?
Our snow gums are under threat: from increasing bushfires and from the devastation wrought by the longicorn beetle, which is thriving under a warming climate. Protect Our Winters (Bright chapter) are helping out on the wonderful Save Our Snowgums campaign, run by Friends of the Earth.
This campaign will persuade the Australian environment minister to add snow gums to the list of threatened species, leading to increased funding for their protection. With funding, scientists can work out ways to stop the spread of the longicorn beetle, for example.
From 2pm to 4pm Saturday 29th August, we will survey the snow gums around the General Hotel, Mt Hotham. It should be a fun afternoon, no experience is needed, and we will finish for a well earned soda water or beer at the Genny afterwards.
Kids and families particularly welcome!
What: Save Our Snow Gums Survey
When: 2pm, Saturday 29 August
Who: Please get in contact with Lily O'Neill if you would like to join, lily.oneill@protectourwinters.org.au.
Paw Paw Plain, between Hotham and Dinner Plain
This survey will happen on saturday August 29. More details soon.
Dinner Plain
This survey happened on July 17. There is a report on the survey available here.
Wangaratta Ski Club
Great Alpine road. More details coming soon.
Falls Creek
Full details soon.
Bogong High Plains (a number of locations)
These include around Johnston's hut, Wallaces hut and other areas around the eastern side of the High Plains. Thanks to Federation University outdoor environmental education students, the Mittagundi outdoor education centre, and the Johnston’s Hut Musicians for their involvement in the surveys.
Mt Macedon
This survey will happen on Sunday August 29 and will be hosted by Macedon & Mt Macedon Landcare Group after their existing tree planting event. Join them for a full day of planting and citizen science. The RSVP page is here.
Mt Buller
This survey will happen on saturday August 29, between 10:00 - 1pm. Full details here.
Mt Stirling
This survey will happen with Friends of the Earth on Saturday August 1. You can find extra info and rsvp here.
There is a report from the survey available here.
Mt Torbrek
Join Upper Goulburn Intrepid Landcare to survey Mt Torbrek (Geebar). RSVP page & more info coming soon.
Lake Mountain
RSVP page & more info coming soon.
Mt Feathertop
Thanks to the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club (MUMC).
JB Plain
This area is in the Alpine national park between Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham. Sunday August 23.
NSW & ACT
Thredbo Alpine resort
Namadgi NP (ACT) and the Brindabella NP (NSW)
This survey will happen on Saturday August 22nd led by National Parks Association (ACT) along the Mt Franklin Road which follows the western border of Namadgi NP (ACT) and the Brindabella NP (NSW). RSVP coming soon via NPA events page.
Join the surveys.
You can find out more and get involved here.
If you are interested in organising a survey on your favourite mountain:
On AUGUST 12, we will hold a second online session for all local organisers - so everyone understands the data gathering methodology, gets any support they need, and to co-ordinate advertising, etc. This will happen via zoom from 6 - 7.30pm on wednesday August 12.
If you would like to attend the briefing, please rsvp here.
4/ Support our work with a donation
You can support the FoE forests campaign with a tax deductible donation here.
Further information
We have now hosted two ‘snow gum summits’. Check the links for a report from each event.
Report on the 2025 summit at Dinner Plain, VIC
Report on the 2026 summit at Jindabyne, NSW.
You can find our report An Icon at Risk here. This was published in 2021 and catalogues the threats posed to mountain environments in Victoria. Available here.