You can download the latest version of our Field Guide for our upcoming Snow Gum citizen science events here. 

Join Wangarratta Ski Club in surveying Snow Gum woodlands surrounding their clubhouse on Sunday August 23. 

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 alpine forests and woodlands – drought, dieback and successive fires have altered the structure, composition, and condition of snow gum woodlands dramatically. During August 2026, resort and mountain loving communities will coordinate with Friends of the Earth to conduct a couple of hours of citizen science in order to better understand the health of local snow gum forests.

The logistics:

• Meet at 4pm at Wangarratta Ski Club. Attendees at the club will be back from skiing for the day at this time. The proposed survey area is contained to around the club, the ski tow area & access road. That area has a mix if healthy and fire affected snow gums, which will be important to monitor long term. 
• JP will be the volunteer coordinator. Please ring the Wang Ski Club number if you need to contact anyone on the day: 0490 251 237  

• Contact Andrew Croke if you need more info ahead of the event: 
  0457 819 355

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. 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.

What to bring

·         We will be hiking quite a distance and you will need appropriate boots and clothing for potentially walking in snow. Note that we will not be venturing outside of the village into the ski area. You will need warm gear, good gloves, water, rainproof jacket and over-pants 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 (e.g. foam mat) would be good.

·       WHEN

Sunday August 23th, 2026 @ 4pm

WHERE

Meet at Wangarratta Ski Club, 2392 Great Alpine Rd

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 alpine forests and woodlands – drought, dieback and successive fires have altered the structure, composition, and condition of snow gum woodlands dramatically. During August 2026, resort and mountain loving communities will coordinate with Friends of the Earth to conduct a couple of hours of citizen science in order to better understand the health of local snow gum forests.

Join Friends of the Earth on a relaxed hike on the Summit Trial at Lake Mountain (1.8km) on Sunday August 23. 

The logistics:

• 1pm – Meet at The Duck Inn Marysville. We will then carpool to Lake Mountain.
• 2pm – 1.8km along the Summit Trail at Lake Mountain. About an hour and a half of Snow Gum citizen science activity on the trail.
• 4pm – Return to Marysville. Social time at The Duck Inn Marysville (optional)

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. 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.

What to bring

·         We will be hiking quite a distance and you will need appropriate boots and clothing for potentially walking in snow. Note that we will not be venturing outside of the village into the ski area. You will need warm gear, good gloves, water, rainproof jacket and over-pants 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 (e.g. foam mat) would be good.

·       WHEN

Sunday August 23th, 2026 @ 1pm-4pm

WHERE

Meet at The Duck Inn Marysville at 1pm. We will then carpool to Lake Mountain. 

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 resort and mountain loving communities are invited to join Friends of the Earth for a couple of hours of citizen science to better understand the health of local snow gum forests.

Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) is inviting the Mt Buller community to join in on one of these surveys, which will happen at Mt Buller Alpine Resort on Saturday August 29th.

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:

• we will meet at 10am sharp in the reception of Alpine Central (Post Office), Mt Buller village.
• proposed survey areas will be across the Mt Buller village and its perimeter.
• depending on the weather conditions we will aim to stay in the survey area until 12.30pm, giving roughly 2.5 hours worth of surveys.
• we will then return to Alpine Central to conclude.

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, but either way we will be outdoors the whole time and you will need appropriate boots and clothing for walking in snow. Note that we will not be venturing outside of the village into the ski area. 

·       You will need warm gear, good gloves, water, 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.

WHEN

August 29th, 2026 at 10:00 - 1pm

WHERE

Meet at Alpine Central, Mt Buller village

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 JB Plain (in the Alpine national park between the township of Dinner Plain and the Mt Hotham ski resort) on sunday August 23.

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.

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. We will be outdoors the whole time and you will need skis or snow shoes if there is snow. You can hire snow shoes or cross country skis from the Hoys stores in Harrietville, Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain.

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.

How to get there

JB Plain will show up on most online maps (search for 'JB Plain campground' or check this guide from Parks Victoria).

JB Plain has an obvious car park along the Great Alpine road. While there is no resort entry, you do need to carry chains for your car (which can be hired either in Omeo or Harrietville).

Meet at the JB Plain carpark at 10am.

We will start the surveys here, and you can stay for as long as you like. Depending on the weather we will aim to do around 3 hours of surveys.

Come along to our next Forests Collective meeting!

Forests Collective is a space for new volunteers to actively join Friends of the Earth's forest & biodiversity campaigns. 

The next Collective meeting will happen Wednesday September ,  6pm-7pm online via Zoom.  

At our September meeting we will: 

• Welcome new volunteers!
• Get involved in our campaign to list Snow Gums as threatened under federal environment law. 
• Plan our Snow Gum art show fundraiser
• Help biodiversity recover from the 2026 bushfires by planning to attend tree planting efforts & build habitat boxes alongside regional community groups. 
• Discuss opportunities for solidarity with First Peoples caring for forested cultural landscapes.
• Sign up to help our forest movement allies host film screenings & mobilise key electorates to close logging loopholes before the state election.

Look forward to meeting you!

Come along to our next Forests Collective meeting!

Forests Collective is a space for new volunteers to actively join Friends of the Earth's forest & biodiversity campaigns. 

The next Collective meeting will happen Wednesday August 19,  6pm-7pm online via Zoom.  

At our August meeting we will: 

• Welcome new volunteers!
• Get involved in our campaign to list Snow Gums as threatened under federal environment law. 
• Organise to amplify our 'My Favourite Snow Gum' social media effort.
• Debrief after our August citizen science events mapping snow gum dieback across the Alps.
• Plan our Snow Gum art show fundraiser!
• Help biodiversity recover from the 2026 bushfires by planning to attend tree planting efforts & build habitat boxes alongside regional community groups. 
• Discuss opportunities for solidarity with First Peoples caring for forested cultural landscapes.
• Sign up to help our forest movement allies host film screenings & mobilise key electorates to close logging loopholes before the state election.

Look forward to meeting you!

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.

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.

Over 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.

Read on to find out more.

Friends of the Earth is preparing a proposal to seek threatened species listing for snow gums under federal environmental laws.

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.

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.