A gathering has been called in the Mackenzie Basin over Anzac weekend to protect the high country from intensive dairying and other agricultural development.
The weekend of "action and learning", being organised by Forest and Bird, is open to anyone who wants to attend, not just its members.
Otago-Southland field officer Sue Maturin yesterday said Forest and Bird expected more than 45 people could gather for the two-day event, based at Twizel, on April 24 and 25.
"The more we get, the better," she said.
Buses have been organised to bring people from Dunedin and Christchurch, with accommodation at the High Country Lodge and Backpackers in Twizel.
Events planned for the weekend include sightseeing, removing wilding trees at the Tekapo scenic reserves, a campaign workshop, field trip and a public meeting on the Saturday night at 8pm at the lodge, which will include speakers on the values of and threats to the Mackenzie Basin.
Speakers will include local people worried about future development in their areas and its impact.
The campaign workshop will look at future options for development in the Mackenzie Basin and identify what actions Forest and Bird can be involved in.
It will also discuss other issues including pastoral leases and tenure reviews.
Already, Forest and Bird has taken an active role in a hearing of 110 resource consents by an Environment Canterbury (ECan) panel to use water in the upper Waitaki catchment west of the Waitaki dam, including making submissions.
It has also been openly critical of a proposal to develop 16 dairy farms with up to 17,850 cows on three properties in the Omarama and Ohau Basins.
Ms Maturin said Forest and Bird had held similar gatherings in the past, including in the high country.
It ran one at the end of last year in Omarama for elected members and executives of Forest and Bird.
The two-day gathering starts at midday on April 24 with people meeting at the lodge in Twizel.
Those present will then take part in a programme, still being finalised, which will culminate on Sunday.
Accommodation and dinner will be covered by the weekend charge but participants are being asked to bring their own bedding, breakfasts, lunches, snacks and drinks.
They are also being asked to bring loppers or other equipment for clearing wilding trees.
