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 Nature Park Management is an online 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 professional development 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 Parks
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- Role of nature parks
- National parks
- Zoos and wildlife parks
- Reserves
- Role of community groups in nature parks
- Using indigenous plants
- Benefits of indigenous remnant vegetation
- Naturalised plants
- Plant identification: plant reviews
Unit 2 – Basic Ecology
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- Ecology and its application
- Constituents of an ecosystem: biotic and abiotic
- Ecosystem function
- Heterotrophic vs, autotrophic
- Ecological concepts
- Ecology relationships
- Climatic zones
- Climate: soil: vegetation interrelationships
- Plant association
- Living things
- Classification of animals
- Plant classification
- Using keys
- Botanical families for different genera: a framework for identifying plants
Unit 3 – Soil Management in Nature Parks
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- Soil Management Overview
- Earthworks in nature parks
- Soil degradation
- Erosion
- Causes, types and control of erosion
- Salinity
- Sources of salinity
- Control methods for soil salinity
- Soil acidification, and causes
- Compaction of soil
- Chemical residues
- Soil and plant growth
- Naming the soil
- Improving soils
- Sampling soils
- Nutrient availability and pH
- Fertilizers and nutrient components
- Terminology
Unit 4 – Plant Maintenance
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- Plant maintenance in nature parks
- Plant selection
- Economics of planting
- Ongoing costs
- Longevity
- Aesthetic criteria for plant selection
- Natural gardening techniques
- Using hardy, pest free plants
- Planting for a succession
- Equipment: a more sustaainable and natural approach
- Avoiding problem materials
- Disposing of waste
- Composting
- Planting procedure
- Staking plants
- When to plant
- Machinery for park maintenance: overview
Unit 5 – Design of Nature Parks I
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- Nature park design
- Landscaping procedure
- Pre planning information
- Landscape plans
- Design procedure
Unit 6 – Design of Nature Parks II
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- Designing animal enclosures
- Cages and pens
- Open range enclosures
- Designing and siting animal enclosures
- Specifications and contracts
Unit 7 – Weed Management in Nature Parks
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- Characteristics of weeds
- Weed control options
- Chemical control
- Biological control
- Non chemical control
- Plants which take over
- Environmental weeds
Unit 8 – Pest and Disease Management
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- Pest and disease control: chemical and non chemical
- Using chemicals safely
- Understanding plant pathology
- How to inspect plants for suspected problems
- Insect biology and classification
- Laws related to chemical use
- Types of poisons
- Understanding toxicity
- Review of main types of plant pests
- Review of common fungal problems affecting plants
Unit 9 – Culture of Indigenous Plants
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- Growing indigenous plants in nature park
- Plant establishment: direct planting, direct seeding, natural regeneration
- Planting design
- Planting techniques: pocket planting, slope serration, wattling, planting arid sites, direct seeding, spray seeding
Unit 10 – Tree Management in Nature Parks
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- The role of trees
- Tree maintenance plan
- Arboriculture (overview)
- Safety for tree surgery
- Tree surgery techniques
Unit 11 – Turf Care in Nature Parks
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- Introduction
- Choosing turf grasses
- Feature lawns
- Picnic areas
- Areas for sport, gardens, parks
- Establishing a new lawn
- Review of turf varieties
- Turf maintenance procedures
- Topdressing
Unit 12 – Rehabilitation Problems and Solutions
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- Land rehabilitation in nature parks
- Site plan information needed
- Site management plan
- Soil problems on degraded sites
- Dry areas, overcoming dry soils, managing sandy soils
- What causes wet areas
- Overcoming problems with wet areas
- Factors affecting rehabilitation: debris, mass plantings, water, topsoil, exotic organisms
Nature park management II
Unit 1 – Natural environments
- Park management functions
- Natural environments
- Plant associations
- Basic ecology
- Ecosystems and ecological concepts
- The web of life
- Habitats and niche
- Conservation of natural resources
- Conservation goals
- Renewable and non-renewable resources
- Revegetation of degraded landscapes
- Flowering landscapes
- Preservation and management of native grasslands
- Sensitive management practices
- Reintroduction of native species
- Recreation of native grasslands
- The value of trees
- Commercial value of trees
Unit 2 – Recreation in Nature Parks
- Nature parks and recreation
- What is recreation
- Environmentally based recreational activities
- Recreational impacts on the environment
- Impacts of vehicles in nature parks
- Water based recreational activities
- Land based recreational activities
- Ecotourism
- Principles of ecotourism
- Simple rules and ethical concerns
- Code of practice for operators
Unit 3 – Wildlife management
- Wildlife management
- Approaches and goals
- Wildlife management habitats
- Classifications
- Changes to habitats
- Water supply in habitats
- Siting water points
- Habitat modification
- Population monitoring
- Captive breeding and release
- Zoo breading and release programs
- Culling and cropping
- Random harvesting
Unit 4 – Visitor amenities and nature parks
- Impact of visitor amenities
- Structures in the landscape
- Elements of a recreational landscape
- Play structures – design considerations
- Layout problems with playground structures
- Plants in playgrounds
- Creating an aesthetic character
- Accommodation facilities in ecotourism ventures
- Cooking facilities
- Waste treatments
Unit 5 – Park interpretation
- Principles of park interpretation
- Planning and techniques for interpretation
- Personal and non-personal services
- Sign design (advantages and disadvantages)
Unit 6 – Trail design and construction
- Park access
- Track planning and design
- Types of trails
- Designing an environmental trail
- Fun and fitness trails
Unit 7 – Water areas
- Natural water bodies
- Dams
- River catchments
- Wetlands
- Estuaries
- Water pollution
- Recycling water
- Desalination
- Planning water-based activities
Unit 8 – Marketing nature parks
- Marketing and advertising budgets
- Structuring and advertisement or promotion
- Making your advertisement work
- Publicity marketing
- Press releases
- Selling
- Types of customers
- The salesperson
- Key rules every salesperson should follow
- Market research
- Gathering data
- Tracking trends
- Marketing tips
- Increasing turnover
Unit 9 – Risk management I
- Hazard management
- Safety in wilderness areas
- First aid
- Safety
- Wilderness safety
- Search and rescue
- Survival strategies
Unit 10 – Risk management II
- Risk management plans
- Developing the plan
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. 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;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 200 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.
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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