Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) are the classic tree of the Australian High Country. They are profoundly different to the trees found in mountain areas in other parts of the world, and give a uniquely Australian sense to our high country. However, they are facing a double threat to their survival: from fire and dieback.
Friends of the Earth is hosting a 'snow gum summit' which will bring together land managers and academics and anyone interested in the future of this iconic species to explore what needs to be done to ensure the survival of snow gum woodlands, and put the issue firmly on the state governments agenda.
We will be hearing from First Nations people, local and state wide environmental organisations, local communities and businesses, groups active in outdoors recreation, and enthusiasts of high-elevation, forest ecosystems. There will be presentations, workshops and field trips. You can see the full program here.
We have a wonderful line-up of speakers confirmed:
Russell Mullett, GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), on bushfires, archaeology of the high country and biodiversity
Assoc. Prof. John Morgan, Head of Department, Environment & Genetics, La Trobe University, on Snow Gums and fire
Dr. Philip Zylstra, Adjunct Associate Professor, Curtin University School of Molecular and Life Sciences, on fire and land management and implications for snow gum communities
Dr Matthew Brookhouse, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU, on snow gums and dieback
Dr Susanna Venn, Associate Professor of Plant Ecology, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Dr Tom Fairman, FLARE Wildfire Research, The University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Leah Moore, Land and Water Science, Fenner School of Environment and Society,
FSES, ANU
Aaron Kennedy, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Director Forest and Fire Operations, Hume, FFMV
Uncle Shane Monk, male cultural lead and lead tour guide, Taungurung Land and Waters Council
Dave Crea, Australian Alps National Parks Program Manager
Anthony Sharwood, journalist and author of From Snow to Ash
Karl Just, ecologist, on the health of, and threats to, snow gum populations in low land areas
Matt Ruchel, executive director, Victorian National Parks Association
Sarah Lynch, artist documenting the snow gums of the Australian Alps
Mike Edmondson, alpine photographer and guide
Simon Watson, Principal Scientist Forest and Fire Ecology | Knowledge, Planning and Risk, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Dean Heinze and Ian Mansergh on animals of the snow gum country
a new film from Stephen Curtain
Peter Jacobs, Former senior protected area manager, Executive Officer for the Victorian Deer Control Community Network and Chair of the WCPA Mountains Specialist Group
Sam Beaver, Protect our Winters
MCs: Anna Langford & Alana Mountain
Watch via the live stream
You can watch the live stream of the forum by getting a ticket here (tickets are $10). Friday February 14 and Saturday February 15, 2025.
This event will happen at Dinner Plain, on GunaiKurnai Country in north eastern Victoria.