Department of Conservation (Doc) Wakatipu area manager Greg Lind gathered the group of 30 people, including Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden, in front of the large rock in the Morning Star Recreation Reserve of Arthurs Pt, on which the bronze plaque had been attached and the Doc flag draped over.
Project Gold stood out among the many conservation projects Mr Lawrence spearheaded in his lifetime.
The project, dedicated to protecting and enhancing native golden-flowered kowhai trees in Otago, had developed to involve 3000 plants in nurseries for planting on 30-40 potential sites next year, in addition to the 10 active sites.
Mr Lind invited Mr Lawrence's widow, Pauline, who stood with daughter Rebecca, to unveil the plaque.
Mrs Lawrence said her husband always had "10,000 ideas" for conservation "going through his head" and he shared them with his family.
She thanked attendees for their support and said the plaque would be of great interest to his relatives, such as his sister, who planned to visit from Hong Kong.
Mrs Lawrence was also presented with a book containing "thoughts, photographs and memories" of Mr Lawrence, Mr Lind said.
Mr Lawrence, of Dalefield, near Arrowtown, died peacefully in his home on December 7, aged 60.
He was a popular Doc Wakatipu area biodiversity assets manager and instrumental in the protection of native species and landscapes.
The former Wakatipu High School teacher had been a member of the Wakatipu Environmental Society since the early 1980s and served two terms on the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
He was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for his services to local body affairs and the environment in 2008.