This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an urban forest management framework for a specific geographic location incorporating policy documentation and urban forest management planning.

The unit applies to individuals with highly specialised advanced theoretical and technical knowledge for professional work and research in arboriculture. They exercise advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills and demonstrate complete autonomy, judgement and adaptability in research and analysis for complex problems.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements are to this unit at the time of publication.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has developed an urban forest management framework for a specified geographic location, including:

investigated models of urban forest management

established key performance metrics and outcomes from client brief

determined data sets required for objectives of managing the resources according to stakeholder needs

analysed urban forest for resources

determined agents and conditions affecting urban forest health

analysed species spatial geography using geographical information systems (GIS)

determined canopy density targets

determined objectives and outcomes of urban forest to community

determined asset value of trees and forest according to client brief and industry benchmarks

performed cost-benefit analysis of forest assets

analysed variation in asset value within variables

analysed and reviewed policy documents for meeting performance metrics and desired outcomes

determined statutory, liability and risk affecting urban forests

identified stakeholder requirements and perceptions

evaluated extent of impact and outcomes of proposed policy documents

recorded and reported policy determinations on tree assets

documented an urban forest management policy

developed a conceptual framework for urban forest management

determined requirements for street tree master plans according to client brief

set vision and objective statements

determined quantifiable goals

established and maintained inventories and databases according to client brief

developed implementation and operational plans

developed and documented an urban forest management plan.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

urban forests and their benefits to community, including:

models of urban forest management

objectives, outcomes and performance metrics of urban forests

maintaining urban forest health

tree anatomy, physiology, pathology, tree dynamics and edaphic environment in relation to urban forest management

urban forest as a resource

quantifying the urban forest as an asset, including:

measuring and data sets

spatial analysis of trees and forests, and the use of geographical information systems (GIS)

canopy density targets

asset value of single tree

asset value of forest

value criteria

relevant benchmarks

cost-benefit analysis

competing views of forest values

community objectives and outcomes of urban forests, including:

social

environmental

public health

economic

aesthetic terms

measuring the performance of urban forests, including:

performance metrics

stakeholder requirements and perceptions

design and development of urban forest policies and management plans, including:

conceptual framework of managing urban forests

street tree master plans

vision statements and their role in management plans

setting and documenting achievable and quantifiable goals and objectives

maintaining accurate and accessible tree inventories, including:

mapping and managing data

data management software

inventories and databases

setting and planning the implementation of management plans, including:

urban forest operational plans

the urban forest management plans.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

an urban community with trees and forests or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with word processing software

specifications:

standard procedures and quality standards for developing urban forest plans

client brief.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Arboriculture (ARB)