River Red Gum forests and wetlands
Floodplain ecosystems unlike any other
Along its journey to the sea, the mighty Murray River and its tributaries flow through forests unlike any other on the planet - the magnificent River Red Gum wetlands.
Australia is home to the two largest River Red Gum forests in the world. They lie either side of the Murray River, with the Barmah forest on the Victorian side and the Millewa forests on the New South Wales side.
In early July 2010, new Victorian River Red Gum national and regional parks were declared along the Murray, Goulburn and Ovens Rivers. They protect the Nyah Vinifera forest, parts of the Goulburn floodplains, forest wetlands along reaches of the Ovens and Barmah itself.
Wander by and see our reaction to this awesome news here
Over the other side of the river, the New South Wales government has announced new River Red Gum national parks too, protecting the largest red gum forest in Australia in an amazing cross-border 70,000 ha Barmah-Millewa National Park, co-operatively managed with Traditional Owners the Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa and Wamba Wamba.
These are the largest remaining red gum forests on Earth. With 75 percent of Red Gum trees stressed, dead or dying, these Australian icons need urgent watering. Securing environmental water for the River Red Gum parks is critical for the future of the ecosystem, the unique species and the ongoing economic opportunities these new parks offer to the local regional economy.
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A healthy river needs healthy forests
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Congratulations on the new parks
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We’ve radically altered the landscape
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Protected plants and wildlife are suffering too
Take action
Adequate and timely environmental watering is essential to ensure these forests and wetlands flourish into the future. Sign our online petition today, and send a clear message to the Victorian government that watering the new River Red Gum National and regional parks is not only good management, it will secure the parks as an asset for the future.
