SISOOPS508A
Manage natural resources

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select and match appropriate natural resource areas with outdoor recreation activities in order to meet the needs of clients and program outcomes, while minimising the impact of the activity on the natural resource area within relevant legislative frameworks.

Application

This unit applies to those working autonomously in supervisory roles in an outdoor recreation environment. This may include those working in a management role in outdoor recreation organisations which specialise in specific activities or those supervising outdoor recreation guides for such activities.

This may include outdoor recreation leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Identify the nature of the outdoor recreation activity and its relationship to natural resource management.

1.1. Identify the types of outdoor recreation users, their motivations, skills and expectations.

1.2. Establish key aspects of the outdoor recreation activity which might impact natural resource areas.

1.3. Determine the parameters of the activity and the most appropriate natural resource area for its implementation.

2. Identify natural resource areas where outdoor recreation may be conducted.

2.1. Identify the different classifications of natural resource areas for relevant outdoor recreation activities according to relevant legislation.

2.2. Analyse management issues arising from the classification of particular natural resource areas and the use of those areas for outdoor recreation.

2.3. Identify natural resource managers, their management priorities and outdoor recreation services they may provide.

2.4. Establish a process for the selection of natural resource areas within a specified geographic area or region where outdoor recreation activities can occur, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

3. Implement natural resource management to plan an outdoor recreation activity.

3.1. Identify the potential impacts of outdoor recreation on the natural resource area.

3.2. Assess the implications of keyecological concepts on the conduct of outdoor recreation in natural resource areas.

3.3. Identify natural resource management strategies used to manage outdoor recreation activities.

3.4. Develop a resource management plan for the activity according to relevant legislation

3.5. Implement management strategies to minimise potential impacts for the outdoor recreation activity.

3.6. Liaise with relevant natural resource managers according to cultural protocols to monitor potential impacts on a specific natural resource area.

4. Review the potential impacts of outdoor recreation activities on natural resource areas.

4.1. Collect information on the impacts of relevant recreation activities on the specified recreation area.

4.2. Assess evidence of change in the nature of a particular setting due to outdoor recreation impacts.

4.3. Modify aspects of the resource management plan according to information received from natural resource managers and the monitoring process.

Required Skills

Required skills

language and literacy skills to:

research and access appropriate legislation and information regarding the zoning and planning by-laws that apply to specified natural resource areas

read and analyse information about environmental management practices, organisational policies and procedures in relation to environmental management requirements

develop a resource management plan for relevant activities

interpret and apply information arising from review processes

communication skills to:

liaise with natural resource managers and other caretakers to assess potential impacts of outdoor recreation activities on natural resource areas

consult with outdoor recreation users to identify expectations

problem-solving skills to:

develop sustainable solutions to potential environmental impacts as identified in the planning process

assess evidence of change in the nature of a particular setting due to outdoor recreation impacts

apply modifications to planning for improvements to future activities.

Required knowledge

land management practices and strategies to minimise environmental impact

legislation that impacts on the management of specific natural resources

organisational policies and procedures to consult all relevant stakeholders to develop, implement and evaluate strategies to manage natural resources

methods and instruments for monitoring impact and usage employed by natural resource managers such as:

written or visual surveys

photographic surveys

soil and leaf litter surveys

water quality monitoring

feedback from clients

usage data from permits

the interrelationship between the natural resource, natural resource managers stakeholders and the public within the legislative context of relevant state or territory resource tenure to inform the development of an effective resource management plan.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

plans and designs outdoor recreation activities which incorporate natural resource management plans for the natural resource areas

monitors the effect of the outdoor activities on the natural resource areas and makes adjustments to the activities where necessary.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure management of natural resources during specific outdoor activities on multiples occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

documentation such as organisational minimal environmental impact procedures and practices and relevant environmental protection legislation

an outdoor environment or site appropriate to outdoor recreation activities in own work environment

relevant personnel.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

a portfolio containing natural resource management plans for a natural resource area where specific outdoor recreation activities will be conducted

third-party reports from a supervisor or manager detailing evidence of the candidate's implementation of management strategies to ensure impacts on natural resources are minimised during an outdoor activity

written and or oral questioning to assess knowledge of key legislation which impacts on the management of natural resources.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISXRES505A Achieve sustainable land management


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Outdoor recreation users may include:

individuals

clubs

educational institutions

commercial operators

research organisations

government organisations.

Key aspects may include:

nature of the experience

equipment

location

environment.

Outdoor recreation activity may include:

bushwalking

sailing

kayaking

canoeing

hiking

bushwalking

camping

abseiling

skiing

snorkelling

snowboarding

trail horse riding

mountain biking

yachting

caving

rafting.

Natural resource areas may include:

forest

body of water

waterway

open space.

Classifications of natural resource areas may include:

economic

social

environmental

wilderness areas

special use areas

freehold land.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Management issues may include:

changing demographic patterns

changing technologies

social behaviours

human resources

local political and social contexts

cultural protocols

competition for access

biophysical carrying capacity of the land

litigation.

Natural resource managers may include:

indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

public sector agencies

private sector organisations

landowners

non-government organisations (NGOs).

Organisational policies and procedures may include

occupational health and safety

consultation processes

staff responsibilities

monitoring.

Impacts may include:

biological

social

cultural

economic

managerial.

Key ecological concepts may include:

energy flow

community

diversity

change

adaptation

biosphere

interrelationship

cycles.

Natural resource management strategies may include:

dispersal of use

concentration of use

site hardening or shielding

permits

fees

seasonal limitations

activity restrictions.


Sectors

Outdoor Recreation


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.