Caring for our nature parks – from national parks, wilderness areas, reserves and camp and picnic grounds – is not just about good management. It’s also about providing quality recreational and educational experiences without compromising the parks’ natural environment. This course is ideal for those working in land rehabilitation, parks management, conservation or in related industries.
The Certificate of National Park and Reserve Management is an online professional development program that will give you a solid foundation in the management of nature parks, including how to create nature trails, build pathways and construct watercourses and animal enclosures, while still maintaining natural, balanced ecosystems.
In this national park management course, you will explore the role of various types and roles of nature parks, the basics of ecology, nature park design, the culture of indigenous plants, rehabilitation problems and solutions, how to maintain plants and turf, and how to manage soil, weeds, trees, pests and disease.
You will also study visitor amenities, interpretative facilities and trail design and construction, the preservation of and impact of recreation on natural environments, how to manage wildlife and conserve natural water bodies, market nature parks and minimise and manage safety issues.
On completion of this course, you will have gained valuable knowledge in the management of a variety of nature parks without compromising their natural environments. What a wonderful way to spend your days at work!
Course Structure
Nature park management I
Unit 1 – Introduction to Nature Park Management
- The role of nature parks
- National parks
- Zoos and wildlife parks
- Reserves
- The role of community groups in nature parks
- Using indigenous plants in nature park
- The benefits of indigenous remnant vegetation
- The benefits of indigenous plants
- Naturalised plants
- Plant review sheets
- Plant herbarium
- How to prepare a plant review sheet
- Example of a plant identification worksheet
Unit 2 – Basic Ecology
- Ecology and its application to nature park management
- The ecosystem
- Constituents of an ecosystem
- Ecosystem function
- Heterotrophic vs. autotrophic
- Ecological concepts
- Ecology relationships
- Climatic zones
- Climate/soil/vegetation inter-relationships
- Plant associations
- Types of plant association
- Examples of plant associations
- Living things
- Classification of animals
- Viruses:
- Using keys
- botanical families of genera
- Terminology
Unit 3 – Soil Management in Nature Parks
- Soil management
- Earthworks in nature parks
- Soil degradation
- Erosion
- Causes of human erosion
- Water erosion
- Wind erosion
- Control of erosion
- Salinity
- Control methods for salinity
- Measuring salinity
- Soil acidification
- Causes of soil acidification
- Chemical residues
- Soil and plant growth
- Naming the soil
- Improving soils
- Sampling soils
- Nutrient availability and pH
- Buffering capacity
- Fertilisers
Unit 4 – Plant Maintenance
- Plant maintenance in nature parks
- Garden maintenance in nature parks
- Plant selection
- General plant selection guidelines
- Natural gardening techniques
- Use hardy pest-free plants
- Planting for a succession
- Using chemical controls
- Equipment: a more natural approach
- Avoiding problem materials
- Natural sources
- Disposing of waste
- Compostable waste and recyclable material
- Environmental contaminants
- Composting and compost bins
- How to make good compost
- Basic planting procedure
- Fertiliser
- Staking
- Bare-rooted plants
- Time of planting
- Planting hints and when to plant
- Mulching
- Machinery for park maintenance
- Mowers and aerators/power rakes
- Fertiliser spreaders
- Chippers
- Leaf rakes/ vacuums and seeders
- Hydraulic pruners
- Spray units
- Irrigation
Unit 5 – Design of Nature Parks 1
- Nature park design
- Landscaping procedure
- Pre-planning information
- Landscape plans
- Scale and labels
- Design procedure
- Sending plans online
- Landscape drawings
Unit 7 – Weed management
- Weeds in nature parks
- Characteristics of weeds
- Weed control
- Chemical control
- Definitions and terms
- Biological control
- Non chemical control
- Burning weeds
- Plants that take over gardens
- Environmental weeds
Unit 8 – Pests and disease management
- Pest and disease control
- Using chemicals safely
- Plant pathology
- Parasitic problems
- Non parasitic
- Control of problems
- How to conduct a plant inspection
- Insect classification
- The orders of insects
- Subclass APTERYGOTA
- Subclass PTERYGOTA
- Division NEOPTERA
- Insect feeding habits
- Entomology
- Law in relation to chemical use
- Toxicity
- Pests and fungi
- Common fungal problems
Unit 9 – Culture of indigenous plants
- Growing indigenous plants in nature parks
- Direct planting using nursery-grown plants
- Direct seeding
- Natural regeneration
- Planting design
- Special planting techniques
- Pocket planting
- Slope serration
- Wattling
- Planting arid sites
- Direct seeding
- Spray seeding
Unit 10 – Tree management
- Tree management in nature parks
- The role of trees in nature parks
- Tree maintenance plan
- Ornamental trees
- Screen/shelter belts
- Animal food trees
- Trees in wilderness areas
- Arboriculture
- Keeping trees healthy
- Tree surgery safety
- Safety for the worker
- Safety equipment for climbers
- Public safety and safety regulations
- Tree surgery techniques
- Cavity treatment
- Bracing and cabling
- Propping and draining
- Bark wounds
Unit 11 – Turf Care
- Turf care in nature parks
- Choosing turf grasses
- Feature lawns
- Picnic areas and sports ovals
- Gardens and parks
- Laying a new lawn
- Soil preparation and level
- Roll (sometimes)
- Sow the seeds and rake in
- Watering
- Turf grass varieties
- Common couch (cynodon dactylon)
- Chewing fescue (festuca rubra var. Commutata)
- Perennial rye grass (lolium perenne)
- Annual rye grass (lolium multiflorum)
- Red creeping fescue (festuca rubra)
- Creeping bent grass (agrostis palustris)
- Browntop bent (agrostis tenuis)
- Kentucky blue grass (poa pratensia)
- Turf maintenance practices
- Aeration techniques
- Coring, spiking, drilling slicing and grooving
- Rolling turf and topdressing
Unit 12 – Rehabilitation: problems and solutions
- Land rehabilitation in nature parks
- Site information plan and management plan
- Soil problems in degraded sites
- Overcoming dry soils
- Hints for sandy dry soils
- Wet areas
- What can cause wet areas?
- Problems with wet areas
- Improving drainage:
- Raise levels or fill depression
- Plant with water-loving plants:
- If you have nowhere to drain to:
- Problems with developing wet sites
- Factors affecting rehabilitation
- The effect of debris
- The effect of mass plantings
- The effect of water movement
- Preserving topsoil
- Invasion by exotic organisms
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development for those aspiring to work in national parks and nature reserves, botanical parks and gardens. As well as ecotourism.
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