Conservation Week will be marked in many ways in Otago next week, from acknowledging the work people do in the community for the region's wildlife and landscape, to planting days and guided walks.
With the theme "We love you New Zealand," the Department of Conservation (Doc) hopes to encourage people to show their love for their environment this week by taking part in events and activities around the region.
One of the major events for the week is the Inland and Coastal Otago Conservation Awards which acknowledge local contributions to conservation.
Four groups and individuals in inland Otago have been chosen as finalists, and three in coastal Otago.
From today, a profile on each of the finalists will appear daily in the Otago Daily Times.
For the first time, the efforts schools, their pupils and teachers put into conserving the environment is being recognised with an award.
The finalists are Healthy Harbour Watchers which involves pupils from a variety of schools; and the University of Otago, Kakanui School, and Tahuna Intermediate pupil Ali Higham.
The winners will be announced at award ceremonies in Cromwell on Tuesday and Dunedin on Thursday.
Coastal Otago community relations ranger and local event co-ordinator Liz Sherwood said environmental organisations, conservation groups, councils, museums and libraries, and other experts were getting behind the celebrations in Otago.
Twenty-eight events were organised across the region during the week and both weekends, ranging from guided walks and planting days, to public talks, including one by film-maker and photographer Rod Morris, and a workshop.
People also had the opportunity to take part in the Words on a Wing initiative.
"You can have your say about what you want world leaders to do about biodiversity loss, and what you are doing to enhance biodiversity."
All messages would be taken to the International Convention on Biological Diversity in Japan next month, Ms Sherwood said.
For further information, www.conservationweek.org.nz
