Nature Park Management Distance Learning Course
"Learn about managing natural parks and settings. A great career"!
The focus of this course is understanding how humans impact on natural environments, and how park management seeks to provide quality recreational and educational experiences without compromising the parks’ natural environment.
What Does a Nature Park Manager Do?
Preservation of natural habitat
Land rehabilitation
Wildlife management
Control of feral pests
Management of natural hazards
Visitor management
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 10 lessons as follows: -
1. Natural Environments – preserving natural environments; plant associations and environment rehabilitation
2. Recreation and the Environment – impact of recreation on natural environments
3. Wildlife Management in Nature Parks– impact of park visitors on wildlife; managing wildlife
4. Visitor Amenities in Nature Parks – design; provision of visitor amenities including picnic areas and campgrounds; management of facilities
5. Park Interpretation – interpretative facilities including signs and education programs
6. Trail Design and Construction – designing access routes in parks; designing and constructing walking tracks
7. Water Areas – conserving and managing natural water bodies in nature park; impact of humans on water areas
8. Marketing Nature Parks – strategies used to promote nature parks
9. Risk Management I – identifying, minimising and managing natural hazards; safety issues
10. Risk Management II – 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.
Explain the role of nature parks in preserving natural environments.
Explain the role of nature parks as a recreation resource.
Explain the issues of managing wildlife in nature parks.
Explain the design of visitor amenities in nature parks and their impact on the environment.
Explain the role interpretative facilities in nature parks.
Explain the design and construction of trails within nature parks.
Explain the importance and management of natural water areas in nature parks
Explain the importance of effective marketing in promoting nature parks.
Explain safety issues and hazard management in nature parks.
Explain the use of risk management plans in nature parks.
Topics Covered:
Creation & Maintenance of Australian Ecosystems - Plant associations, earthworks.
Rockeries -Types of rock groupings, plants and rockeries.
Propagation -Techniques, seed, cuttings, etc.
Marketing -Advertising, brochures, etc.
Eucalyptus -Introduction to/use of Eucalypts.
Proteaceae Natives -Introduction to and use of the main Proteaceae genera.
Australian Legumes -Introduction to Mimosaceae(e.g. Acacia), Caesalpinaceae (e.g. Cassia)and Fabaceae (e.g. Kennedya).
More Native Plants -Introduction to other Australian plant genera; e.g. ferns, conifers, Melaleuca, Callistemon.
Wildlife Park Management -Keeping animals: legislation, enclosures, permits, etc.
Picnic Areas -facilities, litter, etc.
Playground Design -Equipment, materials, safety, costing, etc.
Paths & Paving -Types of pavers, laying paths and pavers.
Water Landscapes -Water features, pools, maintenance, etc.
Park Interpretation -Techniques, program design, etc.
Trail Design & Construction -Fun & fitness trails, surfacing materials, design.
Duration : 100 hours
Scope of Study
Broadly the functions of nature park management include:
Preservation of natural habitats
Land rehabilitation
Wildlife management
Control of feral pests
Management of natural hazards
Visitor management
These issues and others are discussed in Nature Park Management I and Nature Park Management II. The focus of this course is understanding how humans impact on natural environments, and how park management seeks to provide quality recreational and educational experiences without compromising the parks’ natural environment.
The first thing to understand about natural environments is that they are constantly changing . The manager of a nature park is the manager of change.
A nature park manager should not expect, or attempt to stop natural changes, but he/she should exercise control over "unnatural influences" which could cause change faster than the natural environment can adapt to.
Human interference can accelerate change in an environment, causing such things as:
an increased rate of soil erosion
changes to water runoff patterns
salinity
soil compaction
soil acidification
land slips
weed infestation
loss of indigenous or natural vegetation
pollution of soil, air and waterways
Nature parks, in general, attempt to redress environmental problems caused by human interference. In most cases the aim of park management is to preserve natural ecosystems and to stabilise or improve degraded environments. The natural ecosystems that nature parks provide have a diversity of plants and animals; a continual succession of plant and animal populations; recycle energy within the parameters of the ecosystem; efficiently utilise resources; have multiple functions and elements; and demonstrate the principles of relative location.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Study at Home Nature Park Management Course
"Learn about managing natural parks and settings. A great career"!
Learn to create nature trails, build rockeries and pathways, construct ponds and watercourses, design picnic grounds and animal enclosures.
Understand nature park marketing.
A useful qualification for anyone interested in progressing in their career in nature park management.
A natural progression from the Nature Park Management I course, but this course can be taken in its own right.
