Black Gum Waterways Project
A ‘cool climate relict’ the threatened Black Gum (Eucalyptus aggregata) faces a dire future with climate change making its habitat hotter and drier. Black Gums have been pushed to the edge by climate change, introgressive hybridisation, habitat loss, and fragmentation over the last 200 years.
Once widespread across Victoria and NSW, the Black Gum is now only found in small populations along creeks and in frost-hollows on private agricultural land and public reserves.
The Threatened Species Conservancy is working with a range of local partners, through the Black Gum Waterways project, to ensure this iconic species has a future.
Since 2018 the project has worked closely with the Woodend community, in the Macedon Ranges Shire. The project aims to both raise awareness and protect Black Gum populations from extinction by restoring vitally important Black Gum habitat along the Five Mile and Slatey Creeks in Woodend.
Objectives
We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to enabling self-determination for all Aboriginal people and aim to work closely with the Aboriginal community to drive action and improve outcomes especially in the context of a changing climate.