Country, community and care: Landscape recovery after the Longwood fire

Join us for a very special Syrian banquet meal, as we raise funds to support landscape recovery work by the Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network (SRCMN) after the 2026 Longwood bushfire. • A delicious Syrian banquet (vegetarian options included) • Local experts Bertram Lobert and Helen McKernan on what was lost and what is recovering • Live music. Conversation. Raffle with art prizes In January this year the Longwood fire burnt through more than 130,000 hectares of bushland and farmland north-east of Seymour, about 2 hrs from Melbourne. The social and human impacts were immense, with hundreds of houses and structures destroyed, and one death. Fire on this scale is deeply traumatising for people and communities. The fire also had profound impacts on native plants and animals and the fungi. Much bushland in the fire area exists as small forest patches and roadside corridors, and many of these burnt. Many native plants can recover from fire, and although some animals can escape or hide, and then return many species may be lost to the area. A huge impact is from the loss of the many big, old trees and dead stags that were burnt to the ground. These provided the tree hollows that are essential habitat for many birds and mammals, including critically endangered Greater Gliders. Tragically, several local populations of gliders were wiped out completely by the fire. At this event you’ll hear from local ecologist Bertram Lobert about the plants and animals of the Longwood area, why they’re special, and what we know about the fire impacts and the early recovery. And you’ll hear from SRCMN President Helen McKernan about some fungi research and community efforts to support recovery going forward. Reconnecting to Country can support healing for fire-affected communities. This is your chance to hear the stories and support the work. Funds raised will enable SRCMN to purchase additional monitoring equipment (trail cams) and deliver training to landholders and citizen scientists, so that SRCMN can continue monitoring the recovery of wildlife in the fire zone.