Otago residents get involved in conservation in a variety of ways, many of which will be displayed during Conservation Week, Department of Conservation community relations ranger Liz Sherwood says.
Conservation Week begins tomorrow with more than 200 events planned nationally.
In Otago, planting days, walks, wilding control work and lectures have been organised.
The director-general of conservation, Al Morrison, said Conservation Week 2009 was about celebrating the contribution of thousands of New Zealanders who got involved, whetherby volunteering for conservation projects, enjoying the natural environment in their spare time or participating in special events.
The Otago Conservation Awards would recognise those who got involved in both coastal and inland areas, with profiles of the finalists appearing in the Otago Daily Times during the week.
Ms Sherwood said this year's theme, "get involved", gave community groups the opportunity to show the public the work they did and encourage people to participate.
"It's an open invitation - a welcome and invitation to come along."
Events in Otago begin with the development of a flax garden (pa harakeke) at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary tomorrow, and then a guided tramp of the Silver Peaks and planting day on the Waikouaiti River estuary on Wednesday.
The wilding pine problem would be discussed at a Forest and Bird public forum, also on Wednesday, and a wilding control trip to Naseby has been planned for next Sunday.
She was also hoping children would "get involved" by entering the ranger for a day competition, which closes this Monday.
Details on those and other conservation week activities could be found on www.conservationweek.org.nz, she said.
