The awards were announced last night at a function in Cromwell which also marked the Department of Conservation's 25th anniversary.
The Diamond Lake Predator Control Group, of Wanaka, was highly commended.
Mr Gibson has been a member of the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust since its inception in 1994.
As well as liaising with farmers along the trail, Mr Gibson has carried out practical work to improve the rail trail experience.
He has built seats along the trail, designed and built "Gibson grates" - mini cattle-stops - at various locations, dug foundations and poured concrete for the ganger sheds and has also been involved in the rail trail summer programmes.
Mr Gibson was also instrumental in setting up the Patearoa walking track, which provides public access to heritage features.
Ms O'Connor is a driver-guide for Nomad Safaris, taking people to Macetown and Skippers, and is also involved in a wide range of volunteer projects across the Wakatipu.
She is an active member of the Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Group, joining when it started in 2009, and is passionate about removing wilding pines, especially from Queenstown Hill.
Clearing scrub from Cooper Tce, a gold-miners' settlement near the Arrow River, to unearth the huts and remains, is another of her projects.
She also grows kowhai seedlings to plant out as part of Doc's Project Gold initiative.
Mr Gibson thanked the Alexandra Doc staff who nominated him for the award.
He said he had enjoyed his years on the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust and said it "proves that Doc can have relationships with other organisations".
Ms O'Connor said one of her aims was to pass down the importance of conservation to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which she was already doing.
