Replace Mountain Ash with Pine Trees?
We don’t think so.

Can you imagine what multiple cycles of Pine Trees would do to the spectacular surrounding rainforest gullies like these next to the Turtons Creek Scenic Reserve?

We can.

We’ve been advocating for sites like these to be regenerated to their pre-harvest condition, in other words, native species such as Mountain Ash.

Our complaint to the FSC auditor about this very same issue at Fella’s Track coupe in Turtons Creek was successful.

So far, so good…

As a direct result, the International body of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has now been asked to make an ‘interpretation’ of the wording in their standard.

The decision could be a turning point for the Strzelecki Ranges and other important native forest regions.

Will the FSC uphold its commitments to biodiversity and ecosystem protection?

The draft wording supports our interpretation of the Standard
- but it is just that, a draft.

A consultation process about the draft interpretation is open until the 18th of July.

We are working on our submission and will share soon. Contact us if you’d like to chat about the issues - one of us will give you a call!

Submit a submission to FSC

Campaigns

Rainforest and Slender Tree-fern protection

Slender Tree Ferns are critically endangered in Victoria…which means that they are highly likely to become extinct in the immediate future.

More - Slender tree-ferns

Eucalyptus Plantations
- Not Pines

We work to promote the planting of native plantation timber species in high conservation areas.
To create better habitat to support biodiversity.

More - No Pines in conservation

Protecting Our Threatened Species

The Gang-gang and Pilotbird are endangered and under threat by HVP's current timber production practices in the Strzelecki ranges.

Threatened species - Read more

Rainforest Refuge

We are asking HVP to retain Fellas coupe for a Rainforest Refuge. This will protect Australia's largest population of the critically endangered Slender tree-fern and other threatened and iconic species.

More - Rainforest Refuge

Slender chance in Fellas coupe

Slender tree-ferns need large buffers as they are:

*Fire sensitive. Plantations close to Slender tree-ferns increase the risk of them being killed by fire.

* Tall and fragile, easily damaged by trees along the logging boundary that fall into the gullies and creeks. Without the protection of the surrounding forest these trees on the edge are uprooted when they are exposed to wind.

*Plantations dry out the soil and reduce the necessary moisture needed for Slender tree-fern survival.

*protected from herbicide and pesticide overspray

*Increased light and weed competition

Learn more

Fellas coupe -Turtons Creek - Victoria - Australia

Slender Sunday 2025

It's time to do it again...a year later!

Thank you to everyone who came out to visit the Slender Tree-ferns and Cool Temperate Rainforest for the Slender Sundays in April 2024.

We would also like to thank all of you who joined our successful letter writing campaign.

Council were flooded with letters, prompting a statement on their website and a visit by councillors, staff and the CEO. Your letters of support have been effective in showing all levels of government that the community expects protection of our critically endangered species.

Council have had an audit done of Fellas coup. We have applied for this audit under FOI but council have refused access as they are using the report for their own investigation.

Eucalyptus Not
Pines

HVP have been replacing Mountain ash and Blue gum plantations on our Crown land with pines.

Forest Stewardship Council standards are incompatible with this as after harvest replanting should occur to pre-harvest or more natural conditions.

Pines are introduced and are invasive, damaging conservation areas. They are not appropriate in Fellas coupe.

We don't want more areas like this pine plantation on Crown land in Turtons Creek (right) in important conservation areas as they negatively effect not only the plantation but surrounding habitat that is important for threatened species.

For more information on the impacts of pines on conservation values see the link below.

Gang-gangs
and
Pilotbirds

The 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires devastated Gang-gang Cockatoo habitat. Subsequently, because of their diminished numbers, the Gang-gang Cockatoo was listed as an endangered species.

Mountain ash forests in the area have the hollows that Gang-gangs need for breeding. Gang-gangs have successfully bred in the area over the past years making protecting this area a high priority.

Pilotbirds were listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act in 2022 as Vulnerable due to nearly 50% of their habitat burned in the Black Summer bushfires and a 30-50% reduction in population in the last 11 years.

The DCCEEW conservation advice states that:

"Habitat critical to the survival of Pilotbirds occurs in a wide range of land tenure arrangements,
including on private land, nature reserves, state forests and National Parks. It is essential that the highest level of protection is provided to
these areas..."

We are working to protect this critical habitat in the southern most part of their range.

View our entry to the 2025 Toora "Cropfest" short film festival - right.

Learn more

Replace Mountain Ash with Pine Trees?
We don’t think so.

Gippsland Forest Guardians

Working to protect Gippsland’s forests for future generations of animals, plants and people.

Campaigns

Rainforest and Slender Tree-fern protection

Slender Tree Ferns are critically endangered in Victoria…which means that they are highly likely to become extinct in the immediate future.

Eucalyptus Plantations
- Not Pines

We work to promote the planting of native plantation timber species in high conservation areas.
To create better habitat to support biodiversity.

Protecting Our Threatened Species

The Gang-gang and Pilotbird are endangered and under threat by HVP's current timber production practices in the Strzelecki ranges.

Rainforest Refuge

We are asking HVP to retain Fellas coupe for a Rainforest Refuge. This will protect Australia's largest population of the critically endangered Slender tree-fern and other threatened and iconic species.

Rainforest and Slenders

Slender chance in Fellas coupe

Slender Sunday 2025

Eucalyptus Not
Pines

Gang-gangs
and
Pilotbirds

How can I help?

Please support us with a donation

make a donation

Contact us

contact@gippslandforestguardians.org.au

Follow us on social media and support our events

Follow us on instagram and share.

Replace Mountain Ash with Pine Trees?We don’t think so.

Gippsland Forest Guardians

Working to protect Gippsland’s forests for future generations of animals, plants and people.

Campaigns

Rainforest and Slender Tree-fern protection

Slender Tree Ferns are critically endangered in Victoria…which means that they are highly likely to become extinct in the immediate future.

Eucalyptus Plantations - Not Pines

We work to promote the planting of native plantation timber species in high conservation areas.To create better habitat to support biodiversity.

Protecting Our Threatened Species

The Gang-gang and Pilotbird are endangered and under threat by HVP's current timber production practices in the Strzelecki ranges.

Rainforest Refuge

We are asking HVP to retain Fellas coupe for a Rainforest Refuge. This will protect Australia's largest population of the critically endangered Slender tree-fern and other threatened and iconic species.

Rainforest and Slenders

Slender chance in Fellas coupe

Slender Sunday 2025

Eucalyptus NotPines

Gang-gangs and Pilotbirds

How can I help?

Please support us with a donation

make a donation

Contact us

contact@gippslandforestguardians.org.au

Follow us on social media and support our events

Follow us on instagram and share.

Replace Mountain Ash with Pine Trees?
We don’t think so.

Eucalyptus Plantations
- Not Pines

We work to promote the planting of native plantation timber species in high conservation areas.
To create better habitat to support biodiversity.

Eucalyptus Not
Pines

Gang-gangs
and
Pilotbirds