Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan outdoor activities to ensure that minimal environmental impact occurs. It requires the ability to determine the appropriateness of the activities for the setting and to develop plans and practices which reduce impact. Environmental impact includes that to the natural environment and to Indigenous and non-Indigenous heritage and cultural sites.
References to land managers and land management are used for simplicity and can equally apply to other environments such as marine locations.
This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.
It applies to senior personnel who plan programs or activities including program and logistics managers and coordinators, and senior leaders (guides or instructors).
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCECRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify interrelationships between the environment and recreational activities. | 1.1. Source information on ecological systems within the activity setting and their interrelationships. 1.2. Determine human impact of outdoor recreation activities on ecological systems and heritage and cultural sites. 1.3. Consult with appropriate regulatory authorities and custodians to identify sensitive areas within setting and aspects unique to it. 1.4. Liaise with stakeholders to identify parameters of use. 1.5. Identify implications of parameters of use to plan outdoor recreation activities. |
2. Prepare a minimal impact plan for activities. | 2.1. Analyse current environmental and cultural management strategies and codes implemented by land managers or custodians for the setting. 2.2. Identify and assess environmental, heritage and cultural characteristics of the setting and evaluate implications for proposed outdoor recreation activities. 2.3. Determine minimal impact practices to reduce impact on the environment, including heritage or cultural sites, according to regulations and codes. 2.4. Develop and document a minimal impact plan for activities to ensure sustainable outcomes for the setting. |
3. Evaluate minimal impact practices. | 3.1. Identify techniques to determine nature and degree of impact and evaluate effectiveness of minimal impact practices. 3.2. Modify and continuously improve current and future practices according to evaluation. |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | research, interpret and analyse complex and potentially unfamiliar information about environmental issues and land management requirements. |
Writing skills to: | develop minimal impact plans and practices using language easily understood by a broad audience including staff and participants. |
Self-management skills to: | take responsibility for minimal impact planning from initial research through to evaluation critically evaluate successes and failures of practices to initiate improvements. |
Sectors
Outdoor Recreation
Competency Field
Outdoor Recreation Planning