Unit of Study ENVR5005 Protected Area Management (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Anti-requisites

ENVR3004 - Protected Area Management

Enrolment information

This Masters level unit requires students to integrate a body of knowledge from prior study and to apply it to the planning, management and interpretation of protected areas. Some background in science, resource management, geography or indigenous studies is recommended. This unit is offered in Study Period 6. Students must attend a compulsory 6-day (5-night) field camp departing from the Lismore campus (or agreed alternative). No private vehicles will be allowed. Students are expected to contribute to food costs of approx. $250 for the week.
Enrolment restriction

Unit Assessor approval required for enrolment.

Unit description

Examines issues relating to the management of visitors, Indigenous and cultural heritage of terrestrial and marine environments. Special emphasis is placed on Australian and local (Northern NSW) case studies, techniques for conservation, and practical field experience in developing management plans for local terrestrial or marine protected areas. Students gain 'hands on' skills useful in future careers through interactions with park staff, Indigenous rangers and community organisations.

Unit content

Status of global and Australian biodiversity and environments and reasons for establishment of protected areas.
Theory and principles of conservation biology (revision of biology and ecology; units of conservation; classification of threat; population ecology and management; impacts on physical, genetic, species and communities and their management; sustainable environmental use).
Types of terrestrial and marine protected area (IUCN Categories; World Heritage Areas; Australian and NSW systems), and management agencies and responsibilities.
Marine protected areas, habitat protection and fisheries management.
Human cultural heritage conservation and management.
Planning processes, management strategies and production of plans of management.
Site management and restoration.
Education and interpretation in protected areas.
Parks and people (human ecology, Indigenous issues, public participation in planning and management, alternative management models (co-management, conservation outside protected areas, private reserves), carrying capacity concepts, economic values, user pays, ecotourism, disaster management and dealing with wildlife issues.
Strategic planning and large ecosystem approach, cultural heritage conservation, integrated catchment management and multiple-use managed areas.

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2025

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

discuss the major issues and threats to terrestrial and marine biodiversity in Australia and the role of protected areas in biodiversity conservation, recreation, tourism, and protection of cultural heritage

explain the importance of the integrative basis for management of linked ecosystems and human settlements at various scales, particularly large ecosystem management and integrated catchment management

apply skills developed to analyse the principles and methods for environmental restoration and apply these to the development of a management plan for a protected area

analyse and evaluate techniques for education and interpretation and public participation in protected area planning and management processes

demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team and understanding of group processes.

Fee information

Domestic

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