Celebrating the forests that sustain life across Surf Coast & Otways
Published on 20 March 2026
Saturday is World Forest Day, a United Nations–recognised day that celebrates the vital role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests support biodiversity, regulate climate, protect water sources and hold deep cultural significance - they are living systems that underpin both ecological and human wellbeing.
Here on the Surf Coast and across the Otways, forests shape our landscapes, our waterways and our wildlife. From towering wet forests to coastal woodlands, these ecosystems provide refuge, food and shelter for countless species, while also supporting community connection, recreation and resilience.
On March 21, we take a moment to recognise the forests of our region and the life they support.
Forests of the Surf Coast & Otways
Tall Wet Forests
The Otways contain some of Victoria’s most significant tall wet forests, including Mountain Ash, Messmate and Myrtle Beech communities. These forests store large amounts of carbon, regulate local climate and provide critical habitat for hollow‑dependent species such as Powerful Owls, gliders and bats.
Why do they matter?
• Support high biodiversity and complex food webs
• Store carbon and help moderate climate extremes
• Provide nesting hollows that take centuries to form
Understory & Forest Floor
Beneath the canopy, dense understory plants, fungi and leaf litter form the engine room of forest ecosystems. This layer supports small mammals like bandicoots and potoroos, which dig and forage, improving soil health and spreading fungal spores essential for tree growth.
Why do they matter?
• Drive nutrient cycling and soil formation
• Support regeneration after disturbance
• Maintain forest resilience
Forests & Waterways
Forests play a critical role in protecting headwaters, creeks and estuaries across the region. Healthy forest cover stabilises soil, filters run off and maintains water quality flowing into rivers, wetlands and the coastal environment.
Why do they matter?
• Reduce erosion and sediment entering waterways
• Support aquatic ecosystems downstream
• Strengthen catchment resilience during extreme rainfall
Threats facing our forests
Forests across the Surf Coast and Otways face increasing pressure from:
• Climate change and altered fire regimes, affecting forest recovery and species survival
• Invasive species, including deer and weeds that degrade understorey and regeneration
• Plant disease, such as Phytophthora cinnamomi, impacting vulnerable ecosystems
• Habitat fragmentation, reducing connectivity for forest‑dependent wildlife
Protecting forest health is essential to protecting the wildlife and waterways that depend on them.
How can you help?
Act
• Stay on designated tracks to protect understorey and soil
• Clean footwear and equipment to help prevent the spread of disease
• Keep dogs leashed in forested reserves
Support
• Join community planting, monitoring or weed‑control activities
• Support organisations working to restore and protect Otways forests
A moment to reflect
On World Forest Day, we’re reminded that forests are more than scenery — they are living systems that support wildlife, water, climate and community.
Next time you’re walking beneath the canopy, pause for a moment. Listen to the birds, notice the layers of life underfoot, and remember that every healthy forest strengthens Country — and our shared future.