Trust marketing manager Sophie Barker is relishing the chance to do research for 50 stories on the trust and the peninsula, to be told over 50 weeks.
The tales will be revealed through weekly Otago Access Radio show ''Peninsula People'', featuring conversations with people dedicated to preserving and enhancing the wildlife and attractions of the peninsula, as well as via the trust's website.
''The trust has become synonymous with Otago Peninsula over the years, so this year is a fantastic opportunity to be able to tell people about it,'' Ms Barker said.
The Otago Peninsula Trust was formed in 1967, as the first charitable conservation trust in New Zealand, by the Dunedin Jaycee Chapter and some prominent citizens.
The group wanted to see Dunedin flourish and had identified the peninsula as a major asset for the city, particularly tourism, original board member Bill Dawson said.
''It was the mid-1960s and Dunedin was in the doldrums. The [Jaycee] chapter surveyed over 200 leading citizens and discussed ideas for how to reinvigorate the city's economy,'' Mr Dawson said.
''Three main strengths were identified - education, heritage, and tourism."
Fellow trust stalwart Laurie Stewart said Dunedin's economy had been boosted due to the foresight and dedication of the early volunteers, who had put in thousands of hours of work and fundraising.
Trust general manager Robyn McDonald said 2017 would be a special year and an opportunity to pay tribute to the people and projects which had contributed to the trust's achievements.
Along with creating amenities for residents and visitors, the trust has become a major economic contributor to Dunedin's tourism industry.
Through facilities such as the Royal Albatross Centre, Fort Taiaroa, Blue Penguins Pukekura joint venture, Glenfalloch and Tiki Tours, it is also a major employer.
Today, Otago Peninsula's wildlife was estimated to be worth more than $100 million each year to the Dunedin economy, Ms McDonald said.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
