Forests

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries is responsible for looking after Victoria's forests. We manage Victoria’s 3.4 million hectares of State forest, and provides policy guidance for a further 3.7 million hectares of forested parks and reserves. It also gives conservation guidance and incentives to private landholders who manage 1.2 million hectares of largely native forest and 360,000 hectares of plantation.

State forest is managed to balance a variety of uses. These values include conserving flora and fauna, protecting water catchments and water supply, providing timber for sustainable forestry, protecting landscape, archaeological and historic values, and providing recreational and educational opportunities. 

Monitoring our forests

A detailed understanding of the condition and health of our public forests and parks is essential for making the right decisions about how we manage these important areas.

The demand for information on our forests is increasing. With expanding towns and cities, a growing population and variable climate, our natural environment is under pressure and keeping it healthy is crucial to our lifestyle and future prosperity.

DEPI has responded to the need for better information about the health and condition of our parks and forests and has established Australia’s most comprehensive statewide public forest monitoring program.

The Victorian Forest Monitoring Program

What's New		Quick Links
	Public Safety on Public Land on Code Red Days DEPI is responsible for the declaration of Code Red public safety zones.  Overview maps and gazette notices of the current State forest public safety zones in the Bureau of Meteorolgy Weather Forecast Districts for Code Red fire danger-rated days are provided	Forest Recreation Notes Forest Sustainability Forest Management Plans Toolangi Fieldwork Program Safety on Public Land Trail Bike Initiative Brown Mountain Fauna Survey Public Access Map (info on road and site closures) Allocation Order to VicForests Closures on Code Red Fire Danger Rating days Regional Forest Agreements - Draft
	Firewood collection on public land The Minister for Environment and Climate Change has announced changes to arrangements for firewood collection on public land, beginning 1 September 2011.
	The Victorian Forest Monitoring Program
	River Red Gum Adaptive Management Scientific Advisory Committee The Department of Environment and Primary Industries is working with the NSW Government and specialists from Australian universities to develop a strategy to manage River Red Gum forests and promote the persistence of indigenous flora and fauna in a way which is cost-effective, defensible and adaptable.