Over the past three years, Friends of the Earth (FoE) has been working on protecting significant areas of the Victorian high country that are at risk from logging. We have also been highlighting the need for the state government to act to the threats posed to these forests by climate change driven bush fires.
This is a summary of our current and recent work in the high country, and a list of ways to get involved in the campaigns.
Mountain forests miss out on protection
In November 2019 over 96,000 hectares of Immediate Protection Areas (IPAs) were announced by the Victorian government alongside the Victorian Forestry Plan which will see an end to native forest logging by 2030.
IPA boundaries for four areas have now been finalised, in the Strathbogie Ranges, around Mirboo North, the Central Highlands and East Gippsland.
However, there has been no additional protection of forests threatened with logging in the Victorian high country.
You can read our report on threats to the forests of the high country here.
Specific areas of concern
Mt Wills area
Public walk to visit the areas due to be logged (March 18, 2023). Details here.
Mt Stirling
What is at risk at Mt Stirling? Summary of proposed logging.
Report on FoE survey trip to Mt Stirling, NOV 2022. Available here.
Our short video on Mt Stirling (Nov 2022). Available here.
The Little Dargo
Why this area is special and must be protected. Extra background materials here.
FoE guided walk to the Little Dargo, Jan 2023. Brief report here.
Radio news story on the Little Dargo and why it must be protected. May 2022.
A report on our visit to the Little Dargo to look at previous logging in the Jones Creek area. FEB 2022.
Fire and the Alps
Climate change driven fire poses an existential threat to the mountain forests of the Victorian high country.
Read our report An Icon at Risk, which details the many threats to thje Victorian high country. AUG 2021.
Report on our forum ‘Climate change and the Victorian Alps - preparing for the fires of the future’ held at Mt Hotham (September 2022)
Report on our citizen science fieldtrip to the Dargo High Plains to investigate localised loss of Snow Gum woodlands due to repeat fire. JAN 2022.
Longer fire seasons put our national parks at risk. JAN 2022.
An introduction to the FoE snow gum citizen science project. NOV 2021.
EVENTS
Mountain roadtrip - March 2023
This will be a chance to explore some great places in the Victorian high country while also supporting efforts to protect native forests from logging. FoE has been focusing on three key areas in the Alps: Mt Stirling, the Little Dargo, and Mt Wills, near the state’s highest mountain (details can be found in our report here). This trip will focus on the Mt Wills area and also visit the upper Mitta Mitta (Big) River.
You can join the roadtrip for a day, or come along for the whole trip. Participants will need to be self sufficient in terms of vehicles, camping gear and food (we are happy to help co-ordinate ride sharing for those who are keen). We will need to put a limit of 20 on participants of the full trip in order to be able to fit into campsites and manage our impact. There is no fee for joining the trip.
FoE is planning a series of roadtrips this year, each in a different part of the state. Stay tuned for details of future trips.
The itinerary
See below for details on each public event that is happening as part of the road trip.
- TUESDAY 14: travel to Bright. Members meetup from 5.30 -7pm.
- THURSDAY 16: Mitta Mitta action on the river – highlighting the threat of logging in the headwaters of this important waterway. (Full details soon). Camp at Big River campsite
- SATURDAY 18: public day walk up Mt Wills with aerial footage of the area and banner on the summit. Walk to visit the proposed coupes. Details here.
Please support our work
If you like what we do, please consider supporting us with a tax deductible donation (here).