The two-day forum began yesterday in Cromwell and representatives of about 60 organisations were present for the annual event.
Group co-ordinator Rowan Sprague said there was a rising interest in conifer control, highlighted by dozens of community groups and government agency reps gathering for talks.
Investment from central government had helped ''push the momentum''.
The national wilding conifer control programme received an additional $21million government funding over two years, in this year's Budget, to protect biodiversity, farmland, and landscapes from the impact of wilding conifers.
''It's finally seeing the successes of different communities as well and that we can get on top of this problem and we can make a difference,'' Ms Sprague said.
The opening day of the conference featured regional updates from around the country. New Zealand First MP and party agriculture, biosecurity and primary industries spokesman Mark Patterson was one of the keynote speakers.
The conference ends today.
