All students in this unit (including those studying via distance, online and on campus) must attend EITHER a face-to-face field trip departing from Hobart (overnight, departing 7am Sat, returning Sun approx. 7-8pm AEDST), OR an online interactive training session (10 am - 4 pm AEDST and AEDST) on Sat 28th and Sun 29th March 2026 in order to complete an assurance of learning assessment task. Any student can choose to attend either or both sessions, irrespective of enrolment or location - simply register on MyLO when prompted at the start of the semester.
For students attending the online sessions: The assurance of learning task necessitates that our staff have a chance to interact with you directly, so you will be required to join into the session using a device with a microphone and camera setting. Contact the unit coordinator prior to enrolment to discuss ways in which you can access a place with microphone and camera settings if you do not have these items where you reside.
Students attending camp will need to fund their own food, transport and accomodation costs, which in 2025 were approximately $150 for a 'mid-cost' option of coach transfer, shared cabin, purchased nighttime meal and parks entry passes. Interstate students can arrange to loan camping equipment from our school at no cost, including sleeping mats, bags and tents. The assurance of learning task will be held during the camp.
Introduction
Conservation efforts globally are focussed primarily on biodiversity, but geodiversity elements and features such as soils, rivers, mountains and caves provide humans with awe and inspiration, enjoyment, and a wealth of ecosystem and geosystem services. In this unit, you will learn about how to recognise geodiversity elements as critical system supports for biodiversity and ecosystem function, and to appreciate their cultural and recreational value for society. Using a series of masterclasses with global experts (in-field, in person and online), you will be immersed in the practices of geoconservation and 'geotourism'. With no prior knowledge or skills required, you will develop skills as a communicator and conservation professional, and learn how to: - Rank and assess geodiversity elements (as 'units' of conservation) and features in terms of their rarity, uniqueness, importance to science and society, - Construct inventories of abiotic, biotic and cultural elements and values for recreation and reserve establishment - Undertake in-field degradation assessments of landscapes used by humans for tourism and production - Recommend management strategies to restore landscape features and values for human enjoyment and wilderness protection - Undertake decision-making in a range of modes – graphical, consensus methods, GIS methods and qualitative methods. - Communicate landscape features and conservation strategies to a broad range of audiences and stakeholders. Any student interested in how to undertake conservation practice, curate heritage, restore degraded environments, assess landscape suitability for tourism and other ventures, or to communicate natural values will find KGA527 useful. All skills and knowledge required to successfully complete KGA527 are developed within the unit. Online students should note that there is a requirement for some 'live' online participation in order to complete 'assurance of learning' assessment tasks.
Summary
| Unit name | Landscape Conservation and Recreation |
| Unit code | KGA527 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences |
| Discipline | Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences |
| Coordinator | Doctor Melinda McHenry |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Postgraduate |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
Availability
Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August
Learning Outcomes
- Construct inventories for geodiversity for heritage, tourism and conservation purposes
- Evaluate land degradation and vulnerability of geodiversity elements and values .
- Recommend appropriate infrastructure, experiences, and management options for geodiversity elements using decision-support tools
- Communicate geodiversity values to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
Requisites
Mutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
KGA327Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | KGA527 is delivered online and face-to-face. It's a bit different to other units you might undertake with us, in that this unit offers fully-developed and customised experiences for students attending on campus in Tasmania (face-to-face), online live - where you will have a dedicated teacher, customised virtual field experiences, and other activities to participate in with other online students conducted over zoom, and online asynchronous whereby you complete all work in your own time (except AT1 and parts of AT2). KGA527 trains you to be a competent abiotic landscape conservation or geoheritage professional in three ways:
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|---|---|
| Assessment | AT1: Data collection (10%)|AT2: Geotrail or Heritage Trail (25%)|AT4: Video Experience (30%)|AT3: Nomination to a (Geo)heritage Register (35%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings will be embedded in MyLO content for each week. |
|---|---|
| Recommended | Recommended reading lists will be provided on MyLO. |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.