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.

These surveys will be happening as part of a process to gather data about the health of snow gum forests and will be used to assist in gaining threatened species listing under federal environmental laws. You can read more here.

The logistics on this are a little bit complex:

• we will meet at 10am sharp in the carpark at Carters Mill picnic area, which is close to Sawmill Settlement on the road to Mirimbah/ Mt Buller
• at Carters Mill we will rationalise what cars to take up the mountain (as there is a gate entry fee to the resort)
• we will journey up the mountain to the car park at Telephone Box Junction
• we will then walk, ski or snow show up towards Bluff Spur hut. It is a moderate and sustained grade up the trail
• When we reach the start of the snow gums, we will start to do surveys - this is about a 30 to 40 minute walk or ski from Telephone Box Junction
• depending on the weather conditions we will aim to stay in the survey area until 2pm, giving roughly 2.5 hours worth of surveys
• we will then return to Telephone Box Junction (about a 30 minute walk), and then the cars at Carters Mill about 3 to 3.30pm.

PLEASE NOTE: if you already have gate entry and want to drive yourself to Telephone Box Junction, please meet us at 10.30am at the little shelter immediately on your right after you walk through the locked gate.

What to expect

You don't need any survey experience, just a willingness to walk through snow gum forest, assessing the trees for their health. We will provide a briefing once we are on site to explain how to assess and record the data. Expect to have a fun day outdoors in a gorgeous environment adding to our knowledge about the health of these iconic trees.

What to bring

Hopefully there will be plenty of snow from Telephone Box to the survey site. We will be outdoors the whole time and you will need skis or snow shoes if there is snow (if you are unfamiliar with cross country skiing we strongly recommend you rent snow shoes due to the fairly steep descent back down the mountain). You can get snow shoes at Telephone Box Junction - it would be wise to call ahead and book them. Details here.

You will need warm gear, food, water, good gloves, rainproof jacket and overpants to be outdoors in an alpine environment. We may get quite wet during the surveying so make sure you have a warm top to stay warm (synthetic or wool rather than down). Something to sit on (eg foam mat) would be good.

Getting there

Carters Mill is about a 3 hour drive from central/ inner Melbourne, going via Mansfield.