Course Title: Manage implementation of ecological restoration programs

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2022

Course Code: ENVI5113C

Course Title: Manage implementation of ecological restoration programs

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.

School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5418 - Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Course Contact: Thierry Demathieu

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8359

Course Contact Email: thierry.demathieu@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Joce Sebastian Buckingham jocesebastian.buckingham@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

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to inspect and assess degraded sites for ecological restoration works, assess an existing design or plan for ecological restoration activities, and manage and monitor implementation.

The course applies to individuals who are ecological restoration managers who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities demonstrating a deep knowledge in specific technical areas within ecosystem management. Individuals have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.



National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

AHCECR504 Manage implementation of ecological restoration programs

Element:

1. Inspect and assess site subject to an ecological restoration program

Performance Criteria:

.1 Interpret ecological restoration project design or plan for purpose of implementation

1.2 Confirm site conditions, level of degradation and restoration potential for site outlined in ecological restoration design or plan

1.3 Assess threats to biotic and abiotic factors of area from ecological restoration works proposed in design or plan

1.4 Assess range of operating conditions, hazards and environmental conditions that will impact on the implementation of restoration works outlined in design or plan

Element:

2. Plan implementation of ecological restoration from project plan or design

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Confirm ecological restoration approaches and techniques to achieve project design objectives

2.2 Develop a proposed program budget in accordance with client expectations and resources

2.3 Prepare an implementation program and schedule according to the ecological restoration design or plan aims and objectives

2.4 Confirm program monitoring strategy and measurable key performance indicators for program outputs

2.5 Conduct a site-specific risk analysis and develop controls and procedures

2.6 Determine personnel and skill requirements for implementing program

2.7 Identify permits, licenses and authorisations required to complete work

2.8 Identify equipment and materials for restoration work

2.9 Identify transport requirements for equipment and personnel for ecological restoration work

Element:

3. Manage implementation of ecological restoration program plan

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Liaise with program stakeholders, client and implementation team

3.2 Oversee implementation of restoration works according to program

3.3 Record works according to the design and program

3.4 Manage workers to ensure program is carried out in accordance with workplace health and safety procedures

Element:

4. Monitor implementation of ecological restoration program

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Check site preparation activities have been completed according to specifications

4.2 Check materials, machinery and equipment comply with ecological restoration design or plan and implementation program

4.3 Monitor implementation of ecological restoration program for quality and progression against outputs of ecological restoration design or plan

4.4 Monitor budget expenditure against the program budget

4.5 Carry out adaptive management according to ecological monitoring

4.6 Manage workers to ensure work is carried out in accordance with workplace health and safety procedures

Element:

5. Review and report on implementation of ecological restoration program

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Review outputs to determine program implementation is consistent with ecological restoration design or plan

5.2 Report outputs and key performance indicators achieved during program implementation according to workplace procedures

5.3 Report changes to restoration techniques for adoption in future works

5.4 Monitor site to identify recommendations and specifications for ongoing maintenance program


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

face to face classes

field trips

group work

online activities


Teaching Schedule

Week No.

Date

Learning activity

Assessment


7-Feb

Planning for biodiversity and resilience in restoration

Existing natural values ecosystem, flora and fauna



14-Feb

Approaches to selecting and restoring natural areas (Chapter 1/2/3/4/5) of text book)


Assessment 1 and 3 set


21-Feb

Assessing Organ Pipes N.P. Restoration


Banyule Council –  Banyule Northern Grassland Reserve, weed control in native grasslands



28-Feb

Approaches to selecting and restoring natural areas (Chapter 1/2/3/4/5) of text book)

TBC -Organ Pipes National Park – restoration review with Friends Group


Geomorphology and Soils – Prac City Campus – soil pH, texture, structure

Field Trip or lab/prac

 


7-Mar

Wonthaggi Fauna Camp

Meet with Friends of Wonthaggi Heathland Conservation Reserve

 



14-Mar

Approaches to selecting and restoring natural areas (Chapter 1/2/3/4/5) of text book)

TBC -Organ Pipes National Park – restoration review with Friends Group


Geomorphology and Soils – Prac City Campus – soil pH, texture, structure

Field Trip or lab/prac

 


21-Mar

Assessing site conditions, level of degradation and potential for natural area restoration. (Chapter 6/7 of text book)

Project planning and organization including grant applications, managing  projects, community involvement & legislation (Chapter 8/9/10/11/12 of text book)


TBC- Agroforestry- Opportunity for profit and restoration on farms -  Rowan Reid


Field Trip



28-Mar

TBC Whittlesea – Burning for restoration in native grasslands – Andrew Foudoulis-



Field Trip



4-Apr

TBC-  Planting Mangroves Western Port Bay, Grantville –

Field Trip

 


11-Apr

TBC-

Field Trip

 



Mid Semester Break, no classes

Thursday 14th  April to Wed 20th  April

 


25-Apr

ARC GIS  Software Creating Map for managing restoration program

rm. 51.4.02



2-May

Lake Condah 2nd yr Camp 2nd to 6th  May



9-May

Presentation

ARC GIS  Software Creating Map for managing restoration program

rm. 51.4.02



16-May

Presentation

ARC GIS  Software Creating Map for managing restoration program

rm. 51.4.02



23-May

By appointment only.





Mid year break No Classes until Week starting 4th July



Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Buchanan R., (2009).  Restoring natural areas in Australia.  Department of Industry and Investment, NSW.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS. 


Assessment Tasks

Task 1:Implement the restoration plan

Task 2Ecological Restoration plan

Task 3:Knowledge Ecological Restoration


Assessment Matrix

COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT MAP

Unit Code AHCECR504 Unit Title Manage implementation of ecological restoration programs

Date Competency Assessment Map completed/revised 14/12/2021

Position of the person/s who mapped assessments to the unit Senior Assessment Writer

Approved by Thierry Demathieu

Other Information

Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
You may be eligible for credit towards courses in your program if you have already met the learning/competency outcomes through previous learning and/or industry experience. To be eligible for credit towards a course, you must demonstrate that you have already completed learning and/or gained industry experience that is:

  • Relevant
  • Current
  • Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit to find more information about credit transfer and RPL.
 

Study Support: 

Study Support provides free learning and academic development advice to you. 
Services offered by Study Support to support your numeracy and literacy skills are: 

assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice 
maths and science developmental support and advice 
English language development 

Please Refer https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support to find more information about Study and learning Support 

Equitable Learning Services (ELS):

If you are suffering from long-term medical condition or disability, you should contact Equitable Learning Services (ELS) to seek advice and support to complete your studies.
Please refer to https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services to find more information about services offered by Equitable Learning Services (ELS).

Late submission: 

If you require an Extension of Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) and have valid reasons, you must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager. 
The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. You will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted. 
If you seek an Extension of Submittable Work for more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date. 

Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked. 


Special consideration: 

Please Refer https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration to find more information about special consideration 

Academic Integrity: 


"Academic integrity means acting with the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility in learning, teaching and research."

It means referencing the work of others while developing your own insights, knowledge and ideas.

Breaches of academic integrity include:

  • plagiarism and failure to correctly acknowledge sources
  • contract cheating or paying/getting another person to prepare an assignment
  • submitting work prepared by another person
  • copying other people’s work
  • cheating in exams
  • breaching the Research Code
  • using unauthorised materials or devices

Please Refer: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity to find more information about plagiarism. 

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

Students will be able to access course information and learning materials through the Learning Hub and may be provided with additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference books, resources in the library and accessible Internet sites will be provided where possible. You will also use equipment and software packages in the laboratory for the project work. During the course, you will be directed to websites to enhance your knowledge and understanding of difficult concepts

Check the Library Subject Guides: RL: https://rmit.libguides.com/environmentsustainableconservation

Course Overview: Access Course Overview