Endeavours to help the blue penguin, a rare worm and the biodiversity of some of our most treasured spots will be recognised this week through the Otago Conservation Awards.
The awards, held to celebrate Conservation Week, which started yesterday, acknowledge the passion and dedication of those who volunteer their time and energy for conservation.
The Coastal Awards will be held tonight and will recognise the work of the finalists: the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, founding member of Save the Otago Peninsula Moira Parker and New Zealand Transport Agency projects team manager Simon Underwood.
Department of Conservation acting Otago conservator Alan McKenzie said the awards honoured the great work of people who went the extra mile for conservation.
"This is an opportunity to celebrate Otago's 2012 conservation champions, who have shown how much they love New Zealand and who work hard to conserve and protect the special things that make our country and our backyard unique."
The Inland Awards will be held on September 18 and will recognise the efforts of long-time contributor to the Otago Rail Trail effort John Gibson, a group which controls predators at Diamond Lake, and Queenstown biodiversity volunteer Fran O'Connor.
Efforts of schools in promoting the conservation message will also be recognised at tonight's awards.
This year's finalists are Waitahuna Primary School, for its investigation into effluent contamination of soil and water; Mosgiel Central Kindergarten's recycling, growing and composting activities; and Otago Girls' High School's investigations of Undaria around Quarantine Island.
