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Landscape Conservation and Recreation unit (KGA527)

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Unit year 2026

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2027 Unit information is now available. View 2027 unit information

Location: Hobart, Online

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

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026

* 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

  • 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

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
050999 $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

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

KGA327

Teaching

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:

  1. Through weekly masterclass workshops (on-campus face-to-face; online live: watch later/asynchronous). These classes teach you skills related to conducting landscape assessments, curating inventory, designing sustainable recreational experiences, learning conservation approaches and challenges, and how to use digital and communication tools. This class is for KGA527 students only.
  2. Via field immersion on Friday Week 3 (for on-campus, face-to-face students) or dynamic virtual field immersion (online live students, and available to participate in your own time/asynchronously). These experiences will help you to assess landscape and heritage degradation, recognise geodiversity elements, appreciate the impacts and options for development, restoration, and pure enjoyment of the physical environment. Please note, KGA327 students also attend either the online experience or field trip, but have a slightly different focus in their activities.
  3. Through the togetherness of a field camp in April (any KGA527 student welcome) or professional seminars and specialist online training workshops in late March for students who can't attend camp. These experiences will enable you to meet andperts, learn how to conduct geotouristic assessments, and immerse yourself in the second-most geographically diverse landscape in the world, Tasmania. Please note, KGA327 students also attend either the online experience or field camp, but have a slightly different focus in their activities. Work towards AT2 occurs on this camp.
     

 

AssessmentAT1: Data collection (10%)|AT2: Geotrail or Heritage Trail (25%)|AT4: Video Experience (30%)|AT3: Nomination to a (Geo)heritage Register (35%)
TimetableView 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.