Snow gum communities across the high country face an existential threat from the combined impacts of dieback and more frequent and intense fire seasons. Sadly the isolated pockets of snow gums away from the higher mountains face similar threats, like in the Mt Cole ranges where the Bayindeen fire damaged sections of remnant snow gum forest.

There is currently a sustained threat to the wonderful snow gum forests on Mt Macedon and I am asking you to take a few moments to contact two MPs and urge them to stop proposed tree felling operations.

This information comes from our friends at the Victorian National Parks Association who are leading the campaign to protect these trees.

On February 14th-16th the Friends of the Earth Melbourne (FoEM) Forest Collective hosted it's first Snow Gum Summit in Dinner Plain at the community centre. It was a fantastic weekend, bringing together a diversity of voices to discuss the current threats to sensitive alpine ecosystems as well as possible solutions. “If we fail to restore snow gum woodlands to health, the important legacy of Alpine landscapes to Australia’s identity could be lost forever,” said Cam Walker.

Friends of the Earth forest collective expresses concern about the Labor government's decision to launch an inquiry into the management of Parks Victoria. We recognise that the current government is in the process of restructuring governing departments overseeing the management of the environment, inclusive of state forests and the National Park/reserve system. 

Sixty Victorian grassroots community organisations and ENGO's have written to Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Tim Pallas to urge them to abolish state-owned logging business VicForests.

A new report has been co-published by The Tree Projects and Victorian Forest Alliance. It details the carbon emissions from Victoria’s forestry sector. Written by Dr Jennifer Sanger, ecologist from The Tree Projects, this report has been adapted from a similar report released in June 2022 about Tasmania’s forests, Tasmania’s Forest Carbon: From emissions disaster to climate solution.

The findings of this report reveal the impact of logging to the climate and it provides the government with a real opportunity to act on the findings of the report.

On Sunday the 2nd of October, surveys were carried out over 12 areas scheduled for logging, across 6 locations from Toolangi, Black Range near Taggerty, Warburton in the Central Highlands, Alberton West in Gippsland, Colquhoun State Forest in East Gippsland, and Wombat State Forest in the Central West.

60 Greater Gliders were found across the state. Many of these areas will now be temporarily protected by the Kinglake Friends of Forest, Environment East Gippsland and Gippsland Environment Group court case.

The Greens have announced their plan to end native forest logging in Victoria. This is a plan that is in line with an urgent need for transitioning regional communities away from an industry operating at a loss to the taxpayer and a significant cost to the environment. It will see Victoria’s forests protected for climate, water and First Nations culture.

Localisation and community resilience in a time of transition.

The Friends of the Earth Melbourne campaign coordinating and organising team took a trip together for a few days last week, to the country of the Brataualung clan of the Gunaikurnai people in South Gippsland, staying in cosy quarters thanks to a kind and generous volunteer FoE member.