Nominate trees for protection

To protect Baw Baw Shire's iconic leafy town character, community members are being asked to nominate significant trees that warrant special protection.
A new study is now open to search for exceptional, eligible trees throughout Baw Baw Shire for a significant tree register.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Annemarie McCabe described the study as a crucial next step to protect and support biodiversity across the shire.
"Significant trees within towns are inextricably linked to that particular place and can define the character of the broader landscape," Cr McCabe said. "Vegetation, particularly large, old trees provide important connections to people and place, along with supporting biodiversity."
The study is a shire-wide extension of a 2019 partnership project between Friends of Drouin's Trees and council which established a register of Drouin's significant trees on public land or council-managed land.
"Friends of Drouin's Trees have been real trailblazers in this space and they have been instrumental in establishing the existing significant tree register for Drouin," Ms McCabe added. "We are delighted to be working with them, Friends of Warragul's Trees, other stakeholder groups and the entire Baw Baw community to extend the register right across our green shire.
"Council advised the study would highlight only the "best of the best" in Baw Baw's towns. All community-nominated trees must meet certain criteria for eligibility for inclusion.
Nominations will not be accepted for trees located in the urban growth zone where precinct structure plans apply, in public use zones or those already protected in a heritage overlay.
Nominated trees will be assessed on site by qualified independent arborists to determine their significance before being included in the register.
To nominate a tree online, visit bawbawconnect.com.au. An interactive map and photo can be included.
Alternatively, visit drop-in sessions at Trafalgar Farmers Market at McGregor Park on Saturday, November 4; Warragul Farmers' Market in Civic Park on Saturday, November 18; or Longwarry market on Sunday, December 3. Each will run from 10am to 12noon.
The West Gippsland Arts Centre will also host a drop-in session on Thursday, November 23 from 5pm to 7pm.
Nominations will be accepted until Friday, February 2 ahead of the register being finalised mid next year.