Council's Snow Gum monitoring project has yielded some exciting results and residents are invited to hear ecologists Karl Just and Tim D'Ombrain present their findings at a public talk on 17 June in Newham.
Council has been working closely with Landcare Groups and the Arthur Rylah Institute to record and monitor the health of Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) populations across the shire, and identify any potential local climate change impacts.
Snow Gums are believed to be an ancient Eucalyptus species that evolved during the ice age. Recent dieback has raised alarm for some community members, who suspect climate change may be having a significant impact on the species.
The good news is that the project ecologists found that most populations are in relatively good health and there are plenty of young Snow Gums, which may help prepare the species for future impacts as the climate warms.
Ecologist, Karl Just said Macedon Ranges Shire is considered to support the largest known concentrations of Snow Gum in Central and Western Victoria.
"The largest population documented in the Newham area was distributed across five hectares at Hennerbergs Road, Saunders Road and Finchers Lane, where 697 trees were recorded. We believe this to be one of the largest populations of Snow Gum in the lowland areas of Victoria (i.e. below 800m elevation)."
"The Mount Macedon populations of Snow Gum are the highest within the shire, occurring between 900-1000m elevation. They are likely among the largest stands of Snow Gum outside of Eastern Victoria," he said.
Council's Director Planning & Environment Rebecca Stockfeld said the project, which was funded through the Victorian Government's ADAPT Loddon Mallee Program, has been a great success with fantastic citizen science contributions from the local community.
"Thanks to the participation of Snow Gum enthusiasts from across the shire we now know more about our iconic Snow Gums, which will help us better protect the species as the climate changes," she said.
Twenty-five community members participated in the project and helped to provide data and locations of Snow Gums within the Macedon Ranges.
"I have had a great time clambering fences with a tape measure and camera to record some terrific specimens on various properties and roadsides," said Helen Scott, from Newham & District Landcare Group.
A report with full details on the findings will be available at mrsc.vic.gov.au/Biodiversity from 17 June.
Register for a presentation on the findings and Q&A session which will take place at 6pm at Newham Town Hall on Friday 17 June.
