The EGWT is a group of residents of East Gippland with a keen interest in the management of public land to see the values of the environment maintained.

Formed after the Alpine fires of 2003 the group is concerned in particular with the fire management of the vast forests of East Gippsland.

After large fires in 1983 that threatened many communities and destroyed large stands of timber a need was seen to advocate for more prescribed burning to reduce fuel levels to a manageable level.