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. Add your voice in support of recognising sub-alpine snow gum woodlands as a 'Threatened Ecological Community' under federal environment laws.