This year's Conservation Week is underway and Bay residents are being encouraged to take part in a number of conservation initiatives happening throughout the week.

Coast Care is hosting planting events in Papamoa, Mount Maunganui and Waihi Beach as part of the week.

Nine-year-old James Hunter and friend Liam McGovern, 10, enjoy the Coast Care dune planting.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson welcomed the event that began on Sunday.

'This week is a great time to get outside and enjoy our beautiful natural landscape, but preserving our conservation areas – be they on public or private land – is an important responsibility for all New Zealanders all year round,” says Kate.

'About 25 per cent of New Zealanders visited a national park last year, but more of us need to get outdoors and see this great country for ourselves.”

This year's theme is Love Your Parks and will involve celebrating the 60th anniversary of the National Parks Act and the 125th anniversary of Te Heuheu Tukino IV gifting the Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe to New Zealand.

Kate says this week is an opportunity to get involved and to celebrate other special conservation places by taking part in conservation events and activities in your area.

Mount Maunganui Coast Care is hosting a planting day opposite 50 Marine Parade on September 16 from 2.30pm – 4.30pm.

Waihi Beach Coast Care will meet at the Waihi Surf Club on September 15 for a planting day from 1pm – 4pm.

Papamoa Coast Care will host a planting day on September 16 from 9am – 12pm, meeting at Te Ara Place.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring warm clothing and a raincoat, covered shoes or boots, a spade (if you have one) and gardening gloves.

For more information on local Coast Care events phone 0800 884 880.