The board has been in existence for 20 years and Abby Smith, of Dunedin, is the first woman to chair the organisation.
An associate professor in the department of marine studies at Otago University, Prof Smith has been on the board for six years, the past two as deputy chairwoman. She replaces Hoani Langsbury, who was chairman for five years, stepping down last year.
"I bet I'm the only conservation board chairman in the country with pink streaks in their hair, too," she said.
Alexandra doctor Garry Nixon, who has been on the board for seven years, was elected deputy chairman.
Two new board members were also welcomed at yesterday's meeting in Alexandra - Gordon Bailey, of Queenstown, and Francie Diver, of Alexandra. They replaced Mr Langsbury and Ross Allan, of Dunedin.
