Australian Alps Snow Gum dieback sparks citizen science surveys

Friends of the Earth is coordinating a series of citizen‑science events across Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in August to map the health of Snow Gum woodlands in the Australian Alps. Hundreds of volunteers are hiking, snow‑shoeing and skiing at more than twenty snow‑sport locations, including Mt Buller, Thredbo, Mt Hotham and Mt Stirling.

A recent survey on 1 August at Mt Stirling found that almost half of the Snow Gum trees examined were dead, with 44.6 % showing clear signs of beetle‑induced dieback. The native wood‑boring beetle *Phoracantha mastersi* has proliferated as warmer, drier winters linked to climate change increase its activity.

Friends of the Earth is using the data to push for the Snow Gum species to be listed as threatened under Australia’s federal EPBC Act, which would trigger a coordinated recovery plan and additional funding for research and management. The campaign follows two Snow Gum Summits held in 2025‑26 that brought together scientists, land managers, First Nations representatives and resort workers to address the crisis.