Snow Gum Monitoring Project
The Mount Macedon region supports small but significant stands of Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora), which generally rely on cold conditions. As the climate warms, these Snow Gums are likely to decline, potentially leading to their local extinction.
To protect this iconic species, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is about to start mapping and monitoring Snow Gum populations with help from the local community, including three local Landcare groups, Parks Victoria and the Arthur Rylah Institute. Armed with baseline data, council can then make informed decisions about their ongoing management.
The project’s citizen-science approach is a pragmatic one – with such a large area to map, council cannot do this work on its own – but it’s also designed to raise community awareness of local climate impacts and actively involve private landholders.
Almost 90% of the Macedon Ranges comprises private land, so landholders have a critical role to play in safeguarding the shire’s natural environment.
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.