The Department of Conservation released draft 2014-24 conservation management strategies for Otago, Southland and Canterbury for public consultation on Wednesday.
They cover how the places, native plants and animals Doc is responsible for in those regions will be managed.
As part of the strategy, 10 places in Otago had been identified as special or distinctive, including the region's national and conservation parks, marine areas and freshwater.
Otago Conservation Board chairwoman Assoc Prof Abby Smith said the board had put a lot of work into helping develop the strategy and was proud of what it had achieved.
There were areas where the board disagreed with Doc and its approach of standardising the strategies, she said.
''Some of Otago's specialness has not been given enough rein.''
She urged people to check the strategy, to ensure what they considered special to Otago was covered, as it influenced the priorities for spending.
If the priorities were right when there was limited resources, the money went to the right places, she said.
''Make sure the particular thing you care about is in there.''
Doc Otago community support manager Ken Stewart said the three plans had been pulled together to ensure a consistent approach, as in the past they had been completely different.
Otago had added marine and freshwater to its list of special places, as it was recognised the marine area had not been given high attention in the past and that freshwater quality and quantity were a key component of protecting habitats.
The document was Doc's view on the issues and management of the region and it was now up to the public to say if it was right or wrong.
The strategies would remain valid under Doc's proposed restructuring, due to be implemented in September, as they governed places irrespective of any boundary changes made, Mr Stewart said.
Submissions were open until September 13 and hearings would be held soon after.
