Restoring River Red Gums at Winton Wetlands

Restoring Cultural and Ecological Icons

Located near Benalla, Victoria, the Winton Wetlands reserve spans over 8,750 hectares, making it the largest protected wetland in the Southern Hemisphere. Formerly Lake Mokoan, this site is the focus of an ambitious restoration project aimed at reestablishing River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)—a species recently named "Australia's favourite tree." These iconic trees not only hold significant cultural value but also provide critical habitats for over 170 bird species residing in the wetlands.

The History of Lake Mokoan

Lake Mokoan was created in 1971 through the flooding of natural wetlands, a process that resulted in the death of over 200,000 River Red Gums. Decommissioned in 2009 due to its lack of environmental viability, the site has since been the focus of extensive ecological and cultural regeneration efforts.

Collaborating for Restoration

The Winton Wetlands project is a collaborative endeavor with Treasury Wine Estates dedicated to bringing back the vitality of this unique ecosystem. The revegetation of the River Red Gum community is central to this mission, ensuring the ecological and cultural richness of the area is restored for future generations.

This initiative underscores the importance of restoring ecosystems like Winton Wetlands, where biodiversity, cultural heritage, and environmental resilience converge.

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Learn more about this partnership and project here: https://www.tweglobal.com/media/news/twe-boosts-restoration-at-internationally-significant-site-with-airseed-partnership