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The federal environment department is encouraging people to join in the celebrations and discover more about their community's heritage this Australian Heritage Week.

Australian Heritage Week, running from Saturday 14 April to Sunday 22 April, is a national celebration of Australia's unique historic, Indigenous and natural heritage.

Federal environment department spokesperson Ms Alison Stone said that more than 400 individual heritage events are planned across all Australian states and territories around the time of Australian Heritage Week.

"Events cover themes as diverse as historic pub tours, maritime history, natural landscapes, Indigenous art and the history of sport," Ms Stone said.

"Community groups and volunteers have put lots of energy into organising these events and many of these celebrations are part of heritage festivals being held around the country.

"By attending an event near you, you could be surprised at what you learn about your community's heritage."

Another way to celebrate Australian Heritage Week is by going on a virtual treasure hunt for heritage listed sites near you using the MyEnvironment app.

"MyEnvironment is a free app that gives anyone with an Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch access to detailed information about heritage sites, historic shipwrecks, national parks, protected plants and animals and wetlands at any location in Australia," Ms Stone said.

It is proving to be a winner in online technology, with more than 14,000 people already using it to access information about their local environment.

Having access to this sort of data revolutionises how people and communities can get involved in celebrating and protecting Australia's natural, historic and Indigenous heritage.

MyEnviornment which accesses information from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, has been available for free download since August 2011. Recent updates to the app include a 'shipwrecks on this day' news feed, Australian Heritage Week updates and a news feed from the department's Twitter account, @envirogov.

You can search by place name or address or use the Google mobile map to pan and zoom. Once area data has been displayed, you can find out more information about a single species, protected area or heritage site and access additional links and images.

To find Australian Heritage Week events near you visit the website at:
http://heritage-week.govspace.gov.au

More information about MyEnvironment is at:
www.environment.gov.au/about/media/connect/myenvironment/index.html

The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store free of charge at:
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/myenvironment/id458267028?mt=8

People without an Apple device can access the information from the department's website at:
www.environment.gov.au/erin/index.html

MyEnvironment's file has been kept small enough to be downloaded via mobile internet connections. The app is continually being improved to include new features, additional data sets and entries so make sure you update the app as new versions are released.

If you would like to provide comments and feedback about your experiences using MyEnvironment email: myenvironment@environment.gov.au