The trust is the oldest private charitable trust in New Zealand, and some of those awarded life memberships are tied to its establishment in 1967.
Laurie Stewart, Richard Skinner, Netta Noone and Ben Naylor met on Tuesday for afternoon tea at Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens, an appropriate place considering it was one of the trust's first major projects.
Chairman John Jillet described them as "exemplary", very deserving people who had made a longstanding commitment to the trust.
"I think the trust has been characterised by the people who have helped it along over the years."
Mr Stewart was part of the group that formed the trust and served on its first board.
Among other things, he organised the tracks on private land leading to Lovers Leap, and in recent years he had been "very much involved" with Fort Taiaroa, Dr Jillet said.
Mr Skinner helped put the first fence around the Taiaroa Head albatross colony when he was a child.
He also served at the fort as a soldier and was now involved in the maintenance of the disappearing gun and fortress.
Mrs Noone and Mr Naylor both made contributions to Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens through fundraising and volunteer gardening.
Mr Naylor also had served as chairman of the board and was central to reducing the trust's debt after it built the Royal Albatross Centre.
