Further Hone your Outdoor Skills!
This course follows on from Nature Park Management I but can be undertaken on its own.
In Nature Park Management II, you will focus on:
- Indigenous plants to create a natural ecosystem
- Building rockeries and pathways
- Constructing ponds and watercourses
This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success.
Lesson Structure
There are 10 lessons in this course:
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Natural Environments
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preserving natural environments; plant associations and environment rehabilitation
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Recreation and the Environment
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impact of recreation on natural environments
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Wildlife Management in Nature Parks
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impact of park visitors on wildlife; managing wildlife
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Visitor Amenities in Nature Parks
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design; provision of visitor amenities including picnic areas and campgrounds; management of facilities
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Park Interpretation
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interpretative facilities including signs and education programs
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Trail Design and Construction
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designing access routes in parks; designing and constructing walking tracks
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Water Areas
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conserving and managing natural water bodies in nature park; impact of humans on water areas
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Marketing Nature Parks
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strategies used to promote nature parks
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Risk Management I
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identifying, minimising and managing natural hazards; safety issues
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Risk Management II
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preparing a risk management plan
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Explain the role of nature parks in preserving natural environments.
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Explain the role of nature parks as a recreation resource.
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Explain the issues of managing wildlife in nature parks.
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Explain the design of visitor amenities in nature parks and their impact on the environment.
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Explain the role interpretative facilities in nature parks.
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Explain the design and construction of trails within nature parks.
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Explain the importance and management of natural water areas in nature parks.
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Explain the importance of effective marketing in promoting nature parks.
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Explain safety issues and hazard management in nature parks.
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Explain the use of risk management plans in nature parks.
What You Will Do
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Explain how, by changing drainage patterns, man can damage a natural environment? Consider both urban and rural areas.
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Prepare a list of 30 Australian native plants stating how you would propagate them and why you would use that method in preference to others.
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Prepare a table of at least 20 different recreation activities that you may be familiar with that indicates how compatible these activities are with each other.
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Design a magazine or newspaper advertisement to promote a park you visited.
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Describe, step by step, everything you need to do to grow a eucalypt from seed into a healthy plant over a ten-year period.
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Select 25 different species of Eucalyptus which you have details about and write a description and notes for each of these species.
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Write descriptions for six different species of wattles which will grow successfully in your locality.
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Make up a list of at least 30 Myrtaceae species which will grow well in your locality.
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Draw a concept plan for the development of a wildlife park.
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Draw a detailed plan for the construction of an animal enclosure.
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Design a picnic area.
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Design a piece of park furniture and prepare a costing for the production of the item.
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Contact several quarries in your area. Collect samples of the materials they supply.
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Contact artificial turf companies and make up a list of materials available.
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List freshwater and saltwater animals that can be farmed under aquaculture management in your locality.
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Design a water feature of your choice.
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Design a sign which will enable visitors to distinguish between the different animals in an enclosure.
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Design a trail.
Learning about Plants can be a Major Advantage!
Being able to identify plants (and to some degree animals), is of fundamental importance for anyone working in managing a wilderness area.
- You must be able to determine the difference between wanted and unwanted plants (i.e., weeds)
- You must know what plants to plant where in order to improve and not degrade the landscape
In this course, for each lesson, you will choose and review five different plants - including the name (include genus and species name where possible), appearance and various characteristics.
You will consider details on its cultural requirements (i.e., feeding, watering etc.), its uses (i.e., windbreak, flowers, shade etc.), its propagation, any common pests and diseases, etc.
Plant (and animal) knowledge are critical cornerstones to understanding and managing a wilderness area. Nature Park management staff need to be able to foresee problems, control the impact that any activity has on a landscape, while at the same time facilitating a positive experience for the visitors.
Why Study with ACS?
Design your own learning pathway.
Study at your own pace, from anywhere, at any time.
Receive prompt, expert support from our team of committed and friendly tutors.
Your learning is our priority. We are flexible and adaptable to meet your educational needs!
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