How To Get A Degree In Environmental Science

Transcription

1 CAPACITYFORCATCHMENTS UMNGENIECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTUREPROJECT COURSESANDWORKSHOPSFORABETTERUMNGENICATCHMENT WESSA,inpartnershipwithWWFandfundedbytheMaasMaasenFund,isimplementinga capacitydevelopmentprojectintheumngenicatchmentinkzn.ingrowingthiswork,wehave puttogetheraninformativedocumentofalltheworkshopsandcoursesofferedbydifferent relevantorganisationstoempoweralltheroleplayersinthecatchmenttobebetter custodiansoftheecologicalinfrastructure. Thisdocumentisacollectionofbothaccreditedandnon accreditedcourses,designedfor anyonewhoseworkimpactsontheecosystemgoodsandservicesoftheumngenicatchment. Thecoursesarealsodesignedtorespondtothewatersecurityissueswefaceinthecatchment andhelppromotethedevelopmentofsustainablemunicipalities. JoinusintakingcareofandinvestingintheuMngeniCatchment secologicalinfrastructureby sendingyourstaffonsomeofthesecourses.theknowledgetheygainwillhelpusbuild sustainablecommunities. UEI Maas Maasen Fund

2 WESSA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE (ETPD) Module 1: People Environment Relationship: To give the practitioner a background in environmental concerns, education and ethics and begins to enable the practitioner critically analyse the context of their workplace or community. Module 2: Environmental Ethics: This module develops the critical analysis skill developed in Module 1. It requires the practitioner to go deeper into the nuances of their socio ecological context. Module 3: Developing Environmental Learning Program: To understand how education orientations work and how to adapt Learning support material. By reflection on how the methods and materials used articulate with the broad goals and principles of EE to suit a learning context and programme. Module 4: Facilitating and Evaluating Environmental Program: To evaluate a learning Programme prior to implementation. The practitioner then refines the learning programme and conducts the implementation. Sabine Clink lie [email protected] Tel ext 2141 Fax Cell ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE SKILLS PROGRAMME NQF LEVEL 5 Module 1: Unit Standard : Understanding Sustainable Development: To investigate alternatives resources/ways to protect the environment and prevent depletion of vital resources. Module 2: US : Understanding Environmental Management Analysis Tools: Demonstrate an understanding of integrated environmental analysis. Module 3: Unit Standard : Using a systems approach to environmental decision making: How to recognise natural patterns and processes in nature and how understanding these can help a learner to use resources more wisely. Module 4: Unit Standard : Integrated Water Resource management: Demonstrate an understanding of intergraded water resource management.

3 Module 5: Unit Standard : Integrated Waste management: Demonstrate an understanding of intergraded waste management. Module 6: Unit Standard : Understanding Biodiversity with a focus on wetlands: Demonstrate an understanding of the biophysical environment. Sabine Clink lie [email protected] Tel ext 2141 Fax Cell ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE SKILLS PROGRAM NQF 2 Module 1: Unit Standard : Understanding Our Natural Environment: Recognise and identify the basic functions of the ecological environment (4 credits) Module 2: Unit Standard : Understanding and Using environmental management tools: Apply environmental management tools to assess impacts (5 credits) Module 3: Unit Standard : Best Environmental Practice in my Workplace: Take action to address impacts on the environment (10 credits) Module 4: Unit Standard : Managing Alien Invasive Plants: Combat Problem Plants (3 credits) Module 5: Unit Standard : Understanding Water: Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and wastewater systems and processes (5 credits) Module 6 and 7: Unit Standard 19555: Better waste management: Demonstrate understanding on how to separate, handle, store, treat and transport waste (9 credits) Module 8: Unit Standard Monitoring Water Quality: Monitor water quality (3 credits) Sabine Clink lie [email protected] Tel ext 2141 Fax Cell

4 Ecological Infrastructure Workshop/Course This is a WESSA/WWF customised workshop/course in understanding the significance of the Ecological Infrastructure of the umngeni Catchment. This is a non accredited flexible customized to meet any audience. The workshops can range from half day to a 2 day course. Topics covered includes the following; What is Ecological Infrastructure and what it means to your municipality and catchment; How does Ecological Infrastructure support us on service delivery; Investing in the Ecological Infrastructure; Impacts and solutions to our ecological infrastructure; Our mandates and Ecological Infrastructure. Who should attend; Town Planners; IDP manager; Environmental planners; Municipal unit leaders; Engineers; Traditional Authority leaders; General public etc. Lemson Betha [email protected] Tel +27 (0) Fax +27 (0) Cell +27 (0) Environmental Impact Assessment Course WESSA Understanding EIA course: The course aims to create awareness of environmental rights, build and promote active public participation in the environmental impact assessment process Who should attend? Civil Society, Interested and Affected Parties and Communities; NGOs and CBO s; Students, graduates; Community leaders, Environmental technicians, Councillors, planners, all environmental practioners, engineers and Municipal staff; Concerned citizens; Environmental Health Practitioners as the course is accredited through the HPCSA, offering 14 CPD points. Why should you attend? To get a greater understanding of the links between a sustainable environment and sustainable development; Learn about your environmental rights and the role you can play in preserving the environment; Gain a practical appreciation of the role and value of Environmental Assessment (EA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in assisting South Africa to meet its strategic objectives (e.g. poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability); Enhance understanding of the need for improved governance in development planning and the promotion of best practice principals in EIA; Learn how to critically review and comment on scoping, EIA reports and EMPs. Thulile Vundla [email protected] Cell +27 (0)

5 Invasive Plant Identification A one day course suitable for anyone who needs to be familiar with IAP species in their private or work environment. Invasive Alien Plants Induction A two day course suitable for any person entering a work environment that will involve IAP s should undergo this awareness training. Invasive Alien Plant Identification and Control Methods Basic This 3 day course is suitable for general labourers that work in an IAP clearing programme. Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services introduction as background to reason for clearing programmes. Plant identification of top 20 species in their area, best practice mechanical and chemical control methods. Course is delivered in mother tongue language.

6 Invasive Alien Plant Identification and Control Methods Intermediate This 4 day course is suitable for supervisors / contractors / team leaders of labour teams working in an IAP clearing programme, conservancies. Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services introduction as background to reason for clearing programmes. Plant identification of species in their area, best practice mechanical and chemical control methods. Best practice block planning. Health & Safety in the work environment. This course is presented in English however the facilitator does however speak mother tongue language. Invasive Alien Plant Identification and Control Methods Advanced This 4 day course is suitable for project managers / supervisors / contractors / team leaders working in an IAP clearing programme, conservancies. Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services introduction as background to reason for clearing programmes. Plant identification of species in their area, best practice mechanical and chemical control methods. Best practice block planning. Health & Safety in the work environment. Herbicide usage & abuse. Legislation. Clearing Strategy & Management Planning. This course is only available in English. IAP s and Herbicide choice & use aligned to US Herbicide usage is controlled by legislation. This 4 5 day course is suited to any individual that works with herbicide or who requires a better understanding of legal usage of herbicides in IAP clearing programmes. This course is delivered in English. Mathematics skill is required in this course (percentage, ratio, measurement conversions). This non accredited course is also available as an accredited course through WESSA in collaboration with NASD.

7 SMME registration and support This 1 week course offers support for a group of individuals to form a SMME specific to IAP contractor and team all official registrations and support to register on municipal and provincial supplier databases.

8 GROUNDTRUTH minisass Aquatic Biomonitoring Training Course The minisass course covers all aspects of undertaking the sampling of aquatic invertebrates as an indicator of river health, in accordance with the minisass method. Course content is useful to teachers and environmental educators who will be facilitating minisass sampling with school learners and community groups. The minisass method itself is aimed at school learners and citizens, who require no formal training in the environmental sciences in order to successfully apply the method. The minisass course is aimed at: Teachers Environmental educators NGO's Anyone with an interest in river health monitoring or environmental education Allyson Robertson Tel +27 (0) SASS5 Aquatic Biomonitoring Training Course The 4 day course is designed to provide participants with the basic skills necessary to conduct SASS5 aquatic biomonitoring techniques. The key elements of the training offered include the following: Introduction and overview of biomonitoring The various major aquatic orders likely to be found in the river systems Testing of understanding and identification skill on live and preserved samples Calculation of SASS indices/metrics Data interpretation and handling Methods and examples of reporting Reference and monitoring sites Quality control. Requirements for accreditation of practitioners Design of a biomonitoring programme. Key principles. Frequency of monitoring/reporting Allyson Robertson [email protected] Tel +27 (0)

9 Advanced SASS5 Aquatic Biomonitoring data analysis, interpretation and reporting The course covers advanced methods in the collection of aquatic biomonitoring data, the interpretation of SASS5 biomonitoring results, and reporting techniques. The two day training course aims to introduce the key subjects in the field of aquatic ecology. The course aims to equip individuals working in the aquatic field with an extensive understanding of important concepts, processes and management practices surrounding freshwater ecology. Coursework will be divided into two sections: a one day theory and discussion section, and a day practical session that will expose attendees to river biomonitoring in South Africa, and specifically the minisass technique. The course has been specifically designed to meet the needs of citizen scientists, recent graduates and experienced professionals who want to increase their competency in freshwater management. Course theory will cover topics such as: Basic principles in river ecology The importance and functioning of riparian zones The importance and functioning of wetlands The impacts of pollution on freshwater systems Freshwater ecosystem management Impoundments and their effects on freshwater systems Principles in integrated catchment management Measuring and monitoring water quality Measuring and monitoring river health minisass Allyson Robertson [email protected] Tel +27 (0) Advanced EcoClassification Course This course, addressing various DWA EcoStatus models (DWAF, 2008), is aimed at empowering and upskilling employees to competently assess river health, as defined and group work. All attendees to try to bring their own laptops or be prepared to share with colleagues. This course offered covers the following: i) Riparian Vegetation Response Assessment Index (VEGRAI) VEGRAI is the standard riparian vegetation assessment tool used to calculate the ecological category of South African rivers. Attendees will be taught the concepts and techniques required to carry out VERGAI assessments, and in so doing, empower them to fulfil the minimum requirements for national RHP riparian vegetation assessments, as outlined by DWAF (2008).The course is aimed at professionals who want to increase their competency in freshwater management. Note: Dr Graham has been associated with the original team that developed the VEGRAI method.

10 ii) Fish Response Assessment Index (FRAI) FRAI is the standard fish response model is the standard fish assessment tool used to calculate the ecological category of South African rivers. Attendees will be taught the concepts and techniques required to carry out FRAI assessments, and in so doing, empower them to fulfil the minimum requirements for national RHP fish assessments as outlined by DWAF (2008). iii) Macro Invertebrate Assessment Index (MIRAI) MIRAI is the standard macro invertebrate assessment tool used to calculate the ecological category of South African rivers. Attendees will be taught the concepts and techniques required to carry out MIRAI assessments and in so doing, empower them to fulfil the minimum requirements for national RHP macro invertebrate assessments as outlined by DWAF (2008). iv) Index Habitat Integrity (IHI) IHI is the standard instream habitat integrity assessment tool used to calculate the ecological category of South African rivers according to the RHP in South Africa. Attendees will be taught the concepts and techniques required to carry out IHI assessments, and in so doing, empower them to fulfil the minimum requirements for national RHP instream and riparian habitat assessments, as outlined by DWAF (2008). Note: Dr Graham is a co author of the IHI method. v) Eco Hydraulics Eco Hydraulics involves hydraulic modelling to determine the relationship between discharge and flow depth which is then used to inform the habitat availability for various discharge scenarios. Attendees will be taught the concepts and techniques required to carry out hydraulic modelling to inform the Ecological Water Requirement (EWR). Competency in the various EcoClassification models is essential in determining the Present Ecological State (PES) and Ecological Water Requirements (EWR) and health of rivers in South Africa. The course aims to introduce attendees to the theory, practical procedures and techniques required to run the various models successfully. As such, there will be a balance of theory sessions, practical fieldwork at a site in KZN, computer modelling. Allyson Robertson [email protected] Tel +27 (0)

11 SANBI Biodiversity Geography Information System (BGIS) The training workshop will focus on practical applications of the BGIS website including: Locating and downloading datasets Accessing the new interactive mapping service Using the advanced mapping tools Determining the biodiversity status of an area Sediqa Khatieb Cell +27 (0) Mining and Biodiversity Guideline Training is designed to assist all stakeholders in the implementation of these guidelines in the mining sector and is fairly broad, and is aimed at a range of potential users of the guidelines. This will facilitate constructive interaction on the issues of mining and biodiversity, and promote a consistent understanding and application of the guidelines. Stephen Holness [email protected] Cell +27 (0)

12 ECOLOGY MADE EASY We all live in an Ecosystem A 7 unit program of learning designed to introduce adult community workers learners to understandings of Ecology; Energy; Weather & Climate; Geology, Topography & Soils; Water in the ecosystem; Plants and animals; and Population, People & Human Settlement. Dr Lynn Hurry [email protected] Cell +27 (0) Ecosystem services (soils) An introductory short course that emphasizes investigation techniques. Dr Lynn Hurry [email protected] Cell +27 (0) Environmental interpretation A first step program for all would be explorers of their own environments. Dr Lynn Hurry [email protected] Cell +27 (0)

13 Landscape analysis made easy Exploring patterns in the world around us. Looking, seeing, observing, sketching, recording & analysing selected landscape features. Examples: Relief, Land Use, Weather patterns, Vegetation patterns. Dr Lynn Hurry Cell +27 (0) The EMET program (Environmental Management and Eco Tourism) A 7 unit program of learning designed to introduce adult community workers learners to understandings of Environmental Management and Ecotourism. (Includes a fieldtrip to a field centre recognised for its community outreach.) Dr Lynn Hurry [email protected] Cell +27 (0)