Conservation week is coming up, and offers a great variety of activities to get locals outside and enjoying the environment, while working to look after land and sea better.

Western Bay Wildlife Trust night tours run on various nights from September 10-17 and are a great way to see and hear the nightlife that calls Mauao home. Visitors will learn about penguin and petrel breeding colonies and other species local to the area.

Western Bay Wildlife Trust's Rosalie Crawford and faithful friend. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Children have the opportunity to colour their way to conservation with the Kiwi Guardians colouring competition. Colouring sheets can be collected from Bethlehem Paper Plus and the competition runs September 10-18.

On September 11 from 10am, dune planting at Papamoa will continue the enhancement work on important access-ways to the beach, and is a great way to get some fresh air and community spirit.

There will also be a spring walk in Aongatete Forest on September 11 from 10am. The walk will be accompanied by Trust volunteers and walkers will be among the first to explore the new track.

The official unveiling of the interpretive boards around Aongatete Lodge is on September 13 from 3pm, for anybody who would like to peruse the signs and take a walk around the nature trail loop.

Penguin aversion training for dogs will run at Mt Maunganui Beach on September 17 from 1pm. It will help prevent penguin attacks along the local beaches, and is open to all dog owners who walk their dogs on any number of NZ's beautiful beaches.

Nukuhou Saltmarsh walkers will meet at the Te Puke car park on September 18, and have the opportunity to explore the Nukuhou walk on the saltmarsh of Ohiwa Harbour. And if time permits, another 20 minute walk near Whakatane will be added to the day's outing.

For more information about the above activities, visit www.envirohub.org.nz/organizer/conservation-week and www.conservationweek.org.nz