Doc is taking part in a joint University of Queensland and University of Waikato study trialling an online mapping tool to find out what people value about conservation land in Otago and Southland.
Feedback from the study will be analysed by the universities and then assessed for use in Doc's drafts of the two regions' 10-year management plans before they go out for public consultation.
Doc community relations manager Ken Stewart said it was the first time the department had used such a tool and it was hoped it would attract people from whom it did not normally get feedback.
"Using this method means people can tell us what they think in the comfort of their own homes," he said.
Many of those who did not normally take part in Doc's consultation were some of the "biggest users" of its land, although they still wanted feedback from those who regularly took part, he said.
"We are managing it for everybody."
The tool used an interactive mapping system that allowed people to place icons on a map to show what they valued in different places around the two regions.
"You can indicate locations that are important to you for recreation or native wildlife, or you can tell us where you think there is overcrowding, poor information or too much noise. You can even point out where development should or shouldn't be encouraged."
People could also tell Doc what they thought each region should be known for and how well they thought Doc managed public land.
"It only takes 20 minutes, is simple, interactive and anonymous."
From 1000 random mailout notifications of the new tool, handouts at key sites and informing those on Doc's database, blog and websites in the past week, it had already had 500 entries on the site, he said.
The feedback would help the department design how it would govern the two regions during the next 10 years, Mr Stewart said.
The formal process would begin later this year.
"The opportunity to help shape a CMS [conservation management strategy] happens every 10 years, so it's a significant opportunity for people to have their say. This is an early-bird opportunity."
The website for Otago is www.landscapemap2.org/otago and for Southland www.landscapemap2.org/nzdoc.
