Fire, Weeds and Ferals: Conserving Nature in Protected Areas unit (KGA331)

Hobart

Introduction

This unit provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to prepare conservation management plans - a skill essential for those working towards a career managing natural environments and people in protected areas. For those with other vocational interests, the unit is a way to learn about natural ecosystems and the principles of conservation management. Fire, weed, feral and people management require the biophysical knowledge that this unit provides. They also require an understanding of planning, administrative and management systems, all of which can facilitate or impede the achievement of conservation outcomes. We develop this broad understanding of factors relevant to the conservation management of ecosystems and species in protected areas, and train students in the formulation of natural environment management plans. The plans we produce are usually used by the protected area managers. Field work is used to familiarise students with the management problems of a particular protected area and to collect data relevant to the formulation of the management plan.

Summary

Unit name	Fire, Weeds and Ferals: Conserving Nature in Protected Areas
Unit code	KGA331
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline	Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator	Doctor Kerry Bridle
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Summer

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Summer	1/1/2026	12/1/2026	23/1/2026	14/2/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Engage in critical thinking about conservation in protected areas
• Communicate effectively on the subject in maps and writing
• Employ basic terminology and concepts in protected area management for nature conservation
• Analyse and interpret basic spatial information and interpret spatial patterns in terms of management needs

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
050901	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$3,382.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

KGA213 Natural Environmental Field Techniques

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Intensive over ten days, from one-day after the commencement of work for the year (i.e. the second day of Summer semester), in January. The intensive includes three days of fieldwork, five * 3-hour practical sessions and 20 mini-lectures/lectorials organised in the following sequence - days 1 & 2: on-campus, lectorials/field prep; days 3-5: field camp; day 6: field data compilation; days 7-10: on-campus practicals, lectorials and other work. Please note, you must attend all 10 days in person face-to-face in Hobart and in field.
Assessment	Field map (10%)|Field test - proficiency in data collection (10%)|Topic quizzes (30%)|Management plan (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.