Lesson Structure:  

There are 10 lessons in this course:

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; the 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.

Please Note:  Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to ADL, marked by your tutor with appropriate feedback and if required extra reading.

Learning Goals:  Nature Park Management II BEN207

• 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.

• Explain how by changing drainage patterns man can damage a natural environment. Consider both urban and rural areas.
• Why would you plant trees several years before planting lower plants in an area you are attempting to return to natural bush?
• How would you go about rehabilitating or establishing an area?
• Present your notes and sketches from a study of natural rock areas.
• Present photos or sketches of rockeries you have inspected.
• In what situations would you be likely to create rockeries in a wildlife enclosure? Why?
• Prepare a list of 30 native plants stating how you would propagate them and why you would use that method in preference to others.
• Prepare a table of at least 20 different recreation activities that you may be familiar with that indicates how compatible these activities are with each other.
• Design a magazine or newspaper advertisement to promote a park you visited.
• Name a nature park that you know of through their marketing, though you have never visited it. What aspect(s) of their marketing have made you aware of this park?
• Describe step by step everything you need to do to grow a seed into a healthy plant over a ten year period.
• Select 25 different species of trees in your area which you have details about and write a description and notes for each of these species.
• Write descriptions for six different species of wattles that will grow successfully in your locality.
• What are the principle uses of the Proteaceae and leguminous plants as you see them in a park situation.
• Make up a list of at least 30 Myrtaceae species which will grow well in your locality.
• Draw a concept plan for the development of a wildlife park.
• Draw a detailed plan for the construction of an animal enclosure.
• Design a picnic area.
• Submit the drawing (or photo) of the picnic area you looked at with your comments on the design of that facility.
• Design a piece of park furniture and prepare a costing for the production of the item.
• List six different types of park furniture you looked at.
• Collect catalogues from lawn seed suppliers, instant lawn companies etc.
• Contact several quarries in your area. Collect samples of the materials they supply.
• Contact artificial turf companies and make up a list of materials available.
• Find three examples of bad selection of surfacings in a landscape.
• List freshwater and saltwater animals that can be farmed under aquaculture management in your locality.
• Design a water feature of your choice.
• Compare the alternative methods of sign production to show the differences between methods with respect to cost, durability, the situations where it would be appropriate or inappropriate to use each type.
• Design a sign which will enable visitors to distinguish between the different animals in an enclosure.
• Write a short piece of literature for children which relates what you can observe in an enclosure.
• Suggest a supervised activity for children which could be used in a wildlife park during school holidays.
• Design a trail.

Course duration: 100 hours approx. – Work at your own pace with no deadlines

Qualification: Level 4 Certificate in Nature Park Management ll

Progression courses:  Diploma in Horticulture (Nature Park Management),  Diploma in Wildlife Management, Higher Advanced Diploma in Environmental Management

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.

Follow this course up with our Diploma in Wildlife Management, Diploma in Horticulture (Nature Park Management), or Higher Advanced Diploma in Environmental Management?

This course will benefit you, if you are working in, or aspiring to work in:

• Ecotourism
• Land management
• Parks & gardens
• Wildlife Management