Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark Forests as the name suggests, are found in a restricted range of the lower Hunter Valley.

The community was once widespread. A fragmented core of the community still occurs between Cessnock and Beresfield. Remnants occur within the Local Government Areas of Cessnock, Maitland, Singleton, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens, and occur principally on Permian geology.

This vegetation community is listed as an Ecologically Endangered Community because of the flora and fauna this community supports, including the species of Spotted Gum and Broad-leaved Ironbark.

The Hunter Region Landcare Network is currently running a Woodland Birds School Education Program 2019 – 2023. This is funded through the National Landcare Program Phase 2 and Local Land Services Project, Bringing Back the Regent Honeyeater: a flagship species for our forests, farms, rivers and woodland birds to help preserve what we have left of this vegetation community.