Australia has mountains with snow, which surprises people, and the Australian Alps carry a genuinely alpine ecosystem in a country better known for heat. The snow gums twist along the treeline, their bark streaked in improbable colours, and above them lie herbfields and bogs that hold the water and release it into the Murray and the Snowy, the rivers that irrigate the agricultural heart of the country.
The mountain pygmy possum lives here and nowhere else, hibernating under the snow, and it is a species whose survival is tied directly to snow cover that is measurably declining. The alpine bogs, slow-growing and ancient, are being trampled by feral horses, whose protection under law has become one of the most bitter environmental controversies in Australia. The 2019 fires burned into country that historically did not burn.
The organizations here fight for the removal of the feral horses, restore the sphagnum bogs, and defend a small, fragile alpine zone that has nowhere to retreat to as the snowline lifts.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
12 organizations working across this landscape.
Bio-R Oz
Bio·R rebuilds habitat for native wildlife through science-led restoration and community engagement in South Australia.
Country Needs People
Country Needs People is an Indigenous-led organisation focused on promoting and supporting Indigenous protected areas and Indigenous Ranger programs.
Farmers for Climate Action
Farmers for Climate Action is a movement of farmers, agricultural leaders and rural Australians working to influence Australia to adopt strong climate policies.
Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species (FAME)
Our mission is to raise and effectively direct funds to projects that will save Australia's endangered species from extinction.
Keep It Cool
Keep It Cool is a new and exciting environment focused not-for-profit based in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. The overarching goal of ...
Mountain Safety Collective Australia
Mountain Safety Collective provides free daily backcountry conditions for Australia's alpine regions facilitating recreation, education and conservation.
Safe pets safe families
To support people and their pets in times of crisis, delivering equitable services that prevent animal abuse, surrender and euthanasia. We strive to enhance human we...
Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue Ltd
Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue
Totally Renewable Yackandandah
We are a medium- to long-term not-for-profit organisation striving to take positive and hopeful action for the climate and environment. We do this through strong com...
Upper Snowy Landcare Network
Working to restore rural landscapes for communities through knowledge sharing, ecological rehabilitation, and best practice land management