Protecting the habitat of the endangered Tasmanian devil is just one project of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy.

Jane Hutchinson, CEO and key contributor of the group, was on Friday named 2016 Tasmanian Australian of the Year for her conservation efforts.

The Hobart lawyer has played a crucial role as the volunteer-run charity has grown into a $30 million organisation since its establishment in 2001.

It protects 65,000 hectares of habitat for threatened plants and animals, including the devil and wedge-tailed eagle.

Ms Hutchinson has served as board member and president and in 2011 became chief executive officer of the conservancy.

She accepted her award from Premier Will Hodgman during a ceremony in Hobart on Friday and will go on to represent the island state in Canberra in January at the national awards.

In other categories, glaciology professor Ian Allison was named Tasmanian Senior, homeless youth ambassador Zac Lockart became Young Tasmanian and artist Raymond Arnold is the state’s Local Hero.

AAP.