DOC

Plans for a community-led forum to develop a marine protected area along Otago's coast have been met with scepticism by scientists and fishermen.

More North Otago-based conservation projects could be given the go-ahead, following a recent Department of Conservation restructuring that created a new Oamaru-based position.

One of the country's leading experts in mountain safety is likely to be called in to determine whether a permanent safety rope should be installed along the treacherous Cascade Saddle in the Mt Aspiring National Park, west of Wanaka.

A decision on Fiordland Link Experience's monorail proposal will still be considered on the basis of the conservation land's stewardship classification despite a call for greater protection of such land.

Smugglers caught taking endangered Otago wildlife out of New Zealand could soon face up to five years in prison, after a Select Committee report recommended harsher deterrents.

Otago Regional Council candidates have criticised the council's stance on wilding pines.

A request to extend the lease and area of the Pounawea Camping Ground has drawn a mixed reaction from ratepayers, with the council indicating it will decline a ground extension, but grant a longer lease.

Cycle trails are becoming increasingly common around the country and Central Otago is no exception. Inland Otago Conservation Awards winner Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust's chairman Rod Peirce talks about constructing the 73km-long trail from Roxburgh to Lawrence.

Colinswood Bush is alive with birdsong and has the feel of forest, a tribute to Conservation Award finalist Nigel McPherson's stewardship. Mr McPherson (84) talks about 20 years leading the volunteers responsible for the restoration of the biodiversity of the native forest remnant on Otago Peninsula.

Queenstown's potential for more conservation-community-commercial partnerships softened the blow of national restructuring and job cuts on its Department of Conservation (Doc) office.

Whitebaiting is fast becoming a must-do national pastime. But it is just as quickly facing a new, potentially disastrous, threat from an invasive water plant, writes Bruce Munro.

Tributes flowed yesterday as the conservation community farewelled the Department of Conservation's Coastal Otago area manager Robin Thomas.

Little blue penguins and yellow-eyed penguins living on the Oamaru coastline are among the Otago sea-life that could be better protected if marine protection areas are introduced in Otago, but the Department of Conservation (Doc) says public support and input is needed to decide where those should be.