From 2-7 March 2025, the RCAAE hosted its annual training course for alpine land managers at Falls Creek in north-east Victoria. This year, the focus was on Caring for the Alps – the protection of alpine landscapes, communities and species. Twenty land managers – from the ACT, NSW and Victoria attended – comprising predominately staff from alpine resorts and national parks. Participants were initially introduced to theory (concepts such as reading landscapes, land capability, peatland function) before having the opportunity to learn some practical skills in the field. A highlight was the development of a rehabilitation plan for a landscape in the national park modified by hydro construction work at Pretty Valley almost 70 years ago. The aim is to now take the initial site assessment and schedule of works developed by participants, and to turn it into a plan of action that can be implemented by future Course participants.  Watch this space!!

During the week, in formal and informal discussion, it was clear that there is a strong desire to see better management and rehabilitation of alpine ecosystems. As was noted by many, management actions (such as removal of cattle and deer in recent decades, along with sustained targeted weed control) have led to major improvements in vegetation and catchment condition. But with ongoing disturbance (development, recreation, fire), as well as historic landscape scars (from previous hydro works), best-practice rehabilitation will need to be embedded into future management of high mountain ecosystems to maintain (and enhance) their condition. On the last morning, participants discussed how this might be done, and what ‘game-changing’ approaches might be implemented to elevate rehabilitation principles to become ‘the norm’ in alpine management. Developing a network of practitioners was a common theme that emerged – again, watch this space for developments!