Eucalypt seeds, sown by helicopter, are showing a promising rate of growth in the Mount Cole State Forest. It's been more than a year since a major bushfire tore through about 22,000 hectares of the forest and surrounds in Victoria’s west.
This sowing project is part of ongoing regeneration work Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) are undertaking to help the Mount Cole State Forest recover.
The seeds were collected from the local area before the bushfire and held in seed stores before being spread over the forest by helicopter.
FFMVic staff regularly monitor plots set up to gather important scientific data within the sown area.
'To set up the plots at these sites, we considered varying elevations, the direction a slope faces and soil types to monitor how the seedlings grow back in differing environments,' said Forest Management Silviculture Support Officer, Natasha Carland.
Staff visit the monitoring plots regularly to count and mark the number of surviving seedlings. Germination rates and weather conditions are also monitored.
'In the coming months, we will conduct regeneration surveys. This data, alongside local knowledge and data collected before the fire, will help determine the next steps in our efforts to return the forest to good health,' Program Officer, Forest Regeneration, Sean Fagan.
To find out more about how FFMVic supports recovery on public land, visit Public land recovery.
Page last updated: 01/05/25