Diploma in Nature Conservation

Purpose

This qualification is to supply the wildlife ranching industry in southern Africa with managerial assistants/practitioner in sustainable game production and utilisation. This is to be achieved through participation in the managing of natural vegetation, ungulates, infrastructure, administration, finances and people on game farms and game production systems. The qualification is aimed at game farm and game ranch managers, managers of hunting operations and wildlife research assistants. Once qualified, they participate in the sustainable and responsible utilisation of wildlife areas for consumptive and non-consumptive use, management of hunting, tourism, natural resources protection, resource economics, and community based wildlife utilisation, and management of finances and infrastructure of game farming systems. They will work in the wildlife ranching and/or game farming industry, as well as in the related tourism industry aligned with the current and future needs of the country.

Rationale

This qualification provides practical and career focussed personnel, trained specifically for the needs of the Conservation Industry in Southern Africa. Key aspects of the industry that are addressed in this curriculum are protected area management and development, enforcement of environmental and conservation legislation, assistance with monitoring and research within and outside of conservation areas, environmental education and community development. The qualification gives access to a variety of jobs in the conservation industry, which includes protected area managers (reserve managers), game rangers, field guides, environmental education officers, environmental law enforcement officers, research assistants, environmental impact assessors, Conservation Non-Profit Organisation(NGO) operations officers, restoration practitioners and game capturers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

As per institutional policy, Credits towards this qualification may be obtained by means of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 5 ,120 Credits

• Earth and Soil Studies I, 12 Credits.
• Communication for Academic Purposes, 10 Credits.
• Conservation Development I, 12 Credits.
• Information Literacy I, 2 Credits.
• Animal Studies I, 24 Credits.
• Conservation Ecology I, 12 Credits.
• Botany I, 24 Credits.
• Natural Resource Management I, 12 Credits.
• Life Skills I, 2 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Module 2, Level 6, 240 Credits

• Conservation Ecology II, 24 Credits.
• Botany and Veld Management II, 24 Credits.
• Natural Resource Management II, 12 Credits.
• Conservation Legislation I, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Education I, 24 Credits.
• Animal Studies II, 24 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning(WIL) in Nature Conservation I ,120 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the principles and functions of ecosystems and key components.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the best practice management of natural resource systems and associated utilisation activities such as culling, hunting and sustainable game production and tourism.
3. Identify, evaluate and solve defined, routine and new problems within the field of maintenance of infra-structure and equipment commensurate with modern game ranching operations.
4. Account for administration of wildlife undertakings within a defined context.
5. Interact with all stakeholders in the industry, communicating information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the context, either in writing, verbally or in practical demonstration.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

Apply and understand the knowledge including the current appropriate terminology of

• Natural environment, Human influence on ecosystems, Environmental conservation Environmental planning and management and soil conservation, Reclamation practices, and Vegetation.
• Monitor and Evaluate veld, Manage appropriate vegetation, Animals Game farm, and Game species and numbers and Water for game.
• Factors influencing types of watering points are considered.
• Supplementary geed for game.
• Knowledge of digestibility is demonstrated and applied.
• Cropping and handling of Game-Knowledge of an ideal cropping system is demonstrated and applied.
• Capture and transport game, Veld, Predators, Feeding studies.
• Infrastructure Game fences are erected and maintained effectively.
• Legislation- knowledge of appropriate legislation is demonstrated and applied.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

• Formative assessment will take place during practicals and on excursions, during seminar presentations, discussions and project sessions. Continual formative assessment feedback will be given to assist in determining progress achievement and achievement of learning outcomes.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment which tests the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole will be achieved mainly during the experiential training period when students have to develop a comprehensive and integrated management plan, and in reports on all aspects of tasks in a variety of learning fields which they did, or participated in.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

The WIL structure is through a comprehensive study guide, directing the training of students for a practically orientated career and vocation. This is divided into two semesters; Fifteen work related tasks are expected to be completed and a progress report on the management plan of a 2000 ha conservation area. Another fifteen tasks and the final version of the management plan of the 2000 has conservation area mentioned in the first point must be completed.