A SUMMIT in Dinner Plain next month hopes to focus attention on the increasing threat to snow gums and the need to take action to save this iconic species of the Australian High Country.
Friends of the Earth (FOE) has organised the three day event, from February 14 to 16 at Dinner Plain Community Centre, to highlight what is says is a double threat - from fire and dieback - to the survival of the uniquely Australian Eucalyptus pauciflora.
FOE spokesman Cam Walker said land managers and academics will help explore what needs to be done to ensure the survival of snow gum woodlands, and put the issue firmly on state governments' agenda.
"We are inviting First Nations people, local and statewide environmental organisations, local communities and businesses, groups active in outdoors recreation, and enthusiasts of high-elevation, forest ecosystems to join in presentations, workshops and field trips," he said.
Mr Walker said dieback of snow gums - caused by a native beetle - is a natural occurrence, but it is getting worse and more widespread because climate change is making winters warmer and summers drier and hotter.
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"This is leading to widespread loss of individual trees across the Australian Alps," he said.
"It has had significant impacts on snow gums, especially in the Snowy Mountains and, increasingly, on the Bogong High Plains.
"Secondly, climate change is creating conditions where fires in the high country are more frequent and more intense.
"In recent decades, climate-fuelled bushfires have devastated huge areas of the snow gum forests.
"There were significant fires in the Victorian High Country in 1998, 2002/3, 2006/7, 2013 and 2019/20.
"More than 90 per cent of snow gum habitat has been burnt at least once in the last 20 years.
"New research shows that long-unburnt snow gum forests are now exceedingly rare, comprising less than one per cent of snow gum forests in the Victorian Alps.
"Like most eucalypt species, the snow gum can survive fire.
"However, climate change is leading to more frequent and intense fire, which is causing more death of trees and changes to forest structure."
Mr Walker said while most snow gums in the Australian High Country are included in national parks, "we are on the verge of losing the landscapes that we spent decades protecting".
The event is being supported by the Dinner Plain Community Association, Bright Brewery and Freeburgh Hall committee, among others.
For more information contact Mr Walker at cam.walker@foe.org.au
