Course Title: Manage natural area restoration programs

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: ENVI5075C

Course Title: Manage natural area restoration programs

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5305 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Jess Drake

jessica.drake@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 200

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are none

Course Description

This unit covers management of natural area restoration programs and defines the standard required to carry out a site assessment for restoration; select vegetation restoration techniques; plan a natural area restoration program; calculate staff and resources required; supervise natural area restoration works; and review natural area restoration program against issues identified in the management plan for the area.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

AHCNAR504A Manage natural area restoration programs

Element:

1. Inspect and assess site for replacement of vegetation

Performance Criteria:

1.1. A vegetation assessment report is prepared.
1.2. Site conditions, level of degradation and potential for natural area restoration are determined.
1.3. Threats to existing ecosystem, flora, fauna and property from natural area restoration works are assessed.
1.4. Range of likely operating conditions, hazards and difficult/sensitive environments are assessed for impact on natural area restoration works.
 

Element:

2. Plan natural area restoration program

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Plans and specifications for natural area restoration works are prepared according to program/management aims and objectives.
2.2. Natural area restoration techniques are selected to meet management plans and enterprise requirements.
2.3. Staging strategy for works is outlined.
2.4. Protective structures are planned to ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and relevant legislation.
2.5. Appropriately skilled personnel are selected.
2.6. Equipment and personnel are transported to natural area restoration sites without injury or damage according to enterprise procedures.
2.7. Appropriate permits/licenses and authorisations are obtained according to legislative and enterprise requirements.
2.8. Equipment and materials required for natural area restoration work is sourced according to enterprise procedures.
 

Element:

3. Monitor natural area restoration works

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Observations are made according to natural area restoration plans and to enterprise procedures.
3.2. Checks are made that the site is prepared according to specifications.
3.3. Plant materials, machinery and equipment are checked to ensure compliance with enterprise guidelines and natural area restoration plan.
3.4. Natural area restoration works are effected according to enterprise guidelines.
3.5. Work is monitored to ensure remedial action is undertaken as required.
3.6. Occupational health and safety management conforms to legislative requirements and enterprise policies and procedures.
 

Element:

4. Review natural area restoration programs

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Site is monitored to ensure compliance with maintenance program plans and specifications or enterprise guidelines.
4.2. Site is assessed to determine whether natural area restoration works are addressing factors and issues consistent with management plans.
4.3. Changes to natural area restoration techniques are reported to enterprise procedures for adoption in future works.
 


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Theory classes covering underpinning knowledge

Field trips

Practical work


Teaching Schedule

 

12th Feb Introduction to course
What is Ecology?
 
19th Feb Abundance in Ecology
Diversity, Distribution, Biomass, Population
 
26th Feb Field Trip – Riparian and Wetland Ecology
Meet at East Malvern Station at 1030am
 
5th March Restoration and Ecology at Anglesea(FieldTrip)
12th March Ecology - Adaptations
Competition, Processes and Interactions
 
19th March Ecology
Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity
 
26th March Introduction to Restoration Ecology
Succession, Resilience, Gradients
 
 2 to 8 April  No Class
Easter Break
 
 9th April  Introduction to restoration and degradation
Undertaking OHS and Risk Assessments
 
 16th April  Site Assessments and Planning for Restoration
 23rd April  Bush Restoration Field Trip
Site Assessment and Weed Control
 
 30th April  Geomorphology and Soils
Why important, Land Capability and
21Erosion
 
 7th May   Site Preparation for Restoration
 14th May  Planning for biodiversity and resilience in restoration
Revegetation choices
 
 21st May  Plant Restoration Techniques
FIELD TRIP
 
 28th May  How to write restoration plans?
Written Plans and Identifying Resources
 
 4th June All day  Bush Restoration Field Trip
   


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Restoring natural areas in Australia.  Buchanan R. (2009), NSW Govt

978 0 7313 06

Bush regeneration: Recovering Australian Landscapes. Buchanan R. (1989) TAFE NSW (NOTE: This text is excellent, but out of print. There are copies on reserve in the Carlton library)

0 7240 7877 0


References

Vegetation quality assessment manual http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/native-vegetation-groups-for-victoria/vegetation-quality-assessment-manual


Other Resources

Online resources will be made available on the RMIT Blackboard (Learning hub) system as required. You should get into the habit of accessing Blackboard on a regular basis in order to keep in touch with lesson notes, assessment information, and general announcements relevant to the smooth running of this Course.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course may include individual and group project work, assignments, tests, practical assessment and reports


Assessment Tasks

Semester 1

In Class Assessment
This consists of activities undertaken in class that are due at the end of class or by the following class. Includes both hand-in written work and observation by staff. As per Teaching Schedule 20%
Assessment 1 –Ecology Report
A report on the Ecology of your favourite ecosystem. You can choose one of your own, or use one from the Anglesea Field Trip. 9th April 2015, beginning of class 20%
Assessment 2 – Field Trip Report
Report on the Degradation and Restoration Activities that are being undertaken at the Bush Restoration Site – 1500 words 30th April 2015, beginning of class 20%
Assessment 3 – Bush Restoration Plan
Using the semesters work on Bush Restoration, submit a Restoration Plan for the Bush Restoration site. Friday 5th June, 5pm 40%


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (reports, assignments etc.) .
Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.
APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK - A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Course Overview: Access Course Overview