The Great Forest Book

Narrated by Professor David Lindenmayer AO, the story of the Great Forests will leave you amazed and in love. From the regions endemic species like the Baw Baw Frog and Wollert the Leadbeater's Possum to the Batholiths of adventure country, this land talks to all who work and dwell in it. A spiritual and cultural home of the Wurundjeri, GunnaiKurnai and Taungurung people, the Central Highlands is  the ecological cradle of Melbourne/Naarm and a keeping place for all Victorians. 
ABC's RN with Fran Kelly discusses the giant trees of the Central Highlands with Professor David Lindenmayer and how says we need to rethink the conservation of this country, appointing traditional leaders, investing in wildlife, water, recreation and climate opportunities in the forests of Melbourne /Naarm. 🌳
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People

The Taungurung, Wurundjeri and GunnaiKurnai are the traditional people of this land. ​The book explores how we could manage this land and who might be best placed to lead.

Place

The headwaters of the mightiest of Melbourne's water source, the Thomson. The Great Forest book examines the history of the water wars and where our precious flows come from.

Nature

The spirit of this country is captured in a series of unique photos taken over several years (during many seasons) by three Highlands photographers - Dr Chris Taylor, Sarah Rees and Steve Kuiter. 

It's Time For the Park

“I support the creation of the GFNP because our forests are precious places of beauty, wilderness and wonder and should be protected.” — 
Adalita, Rock Musician and Animal Rights Activist & Supporter of the Great Forest National Park, January 2021

The First People

Great Forest Film by film-maker Marli Lopez-Hope
The traditional custodians of this country include the Bunurong (Boon Wurrung), Gunaikurnai, Taungurung (Daung warring) and Wurrundjeri indigenous Australians. 
​We acknowledge this land belongs to the sovereign people of the First Nations. This land was stolen from them and their sovereignty was never ceded -  this park conservation plan is  subject to ongoing discussions and approvals with relevant clans and corporations and fully supports and recognises all their cultural rights, control and access.

Let's make it happen!

The cinematic release of a powerful new short film 'Make It Happen' celebrates the value of Great Forest National Park to Victoria

● Globally renowned cinematographer Toby Phillips backs Great Forest National Park 
● New film conveys epic landscapes, towering forests, and recreation adventures 
● Australian musician John Butler, and sponsorship from Canon and Panasonic, bring film to life 
● New polling shows 70% of Victorians want the Great Forest National Park 

Business Supporters

Organic Chocolate

 Whole food company Loving Earth lovingearth.net have celebrated the Great Forest National Park in their super successful Boobook Eggs. The caramel chocolate eggs sold out in record timing and now the company are working on their next support for the GFNP.  Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Ethical Wear

Patagonia actively support forests conservation and initiatives that support outdoor activity and reclamation of country by First Nations people.

Organic Beer

Businesses can also become brand partners for the project by supporting the GFNP initiative and pushing the proposed park to their audience. 

Our Supporters

Sir David Attenborough

The maintenance of an intact ecological system is the only way to ensure the continued existence of biodiversity, safeguard water supplies and provide spiritual nourishment for ourselves and future generations. It is for these reasons, and for the survival of the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum, that's why I support the creation of the Great Forest National Park for Victoria.
Sir David Attenborough

Dr Jane Goodall

Over thousands of years, nature has provided the resources that have helped us to survive and flourish. Now, in a time of need, we must help nature to survive. The Great Forest National Park is a project to secure the future of a threatened ecosystem. If we act now, we will be ensuring the forest can continue to provide services that support us- clean water, fresh air and storage of carbon. If we fail now, what future will we have chosen for our grandchildren and their grandchildren?  Please join me in supporting the creation of the Great Forest National Park.
Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace

Prof. David Lindenmayer AO

The Central Highlands of Victoria are home to the world’s tallest flowering plants, the Mountain Ash, and one of Australia’s most endangered mammals, the Leadbeater’s Possum. Both are threatened by ongoing clearfell logging and bushfires. To ensure their survival, I would argue we need to create a new national park, not only to protect possums and forests, but carbon stocks, water supplies, and lower the risk of bushfires 
​ProfessorDavid Lindenmayer AO. 

Ecological Benefit

A scientific appraisal of the ecological values of The Great Forest National Park 

The proposed Park will value the region for its critical role in supplying 4 million people with some of the highest quality drinking water in the world, sustaining the most carbon dense forests and protecting critically endangered and rare wildlife.
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The Park will enable the state of Victoria to match its counterparts in other states in recognising, valuing and celebrating Australia’s globally significant biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The proposed parks system features the signature tall trees of the Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans Muell.) forest, which support a diverse array of wildlife, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The Park features a diverse assemblage of plants and forest types, ranging from rainforests to alpine woodlands and herb-rich foothill forests.

The Great Forest National Park will recognise and protect the outstanding natural and cultural values of the unique forests covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.

Read more....

Economic Benefit

REGIONAL JOBS BOON IF PARK CREATED - REPORT
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Proposed national park could attract extra        400,000 visitors annually

 Add more than $70 million to local economy annually
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 Create 750 full-time jobs

Victoria’s proposed Great Forest National Park could draw almost 380,000 extra visitors a year to the Central Highlands, add $71 million annually to the local economy and generate 750 jobs with a little private investment, according to a new report by the Nous Group.

Read more...

Join Our Education Program

Our challenge isn’t so much to teach children about the natural world, but to find ways to sustain the instinctive connections they already carry.” ~ Terry Krautwurst
The Great Forest National Park initiative has inspired young people across Victoria to ask what they would like to see happen with their forests? What are sustainable options for the use of our forests?
Due to the scientific merit of this park proposal, and the great outdoor experience in exploring the area, the park concept is now featured in Victorian curricula.  If you would like to get in touch with us to assist your school trip,  just  email us.