Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Identify interrelationships between the natural environment and human activity.

1.1. Source information on ecological systems  and their interrelationship to the activity setting.

1.2. Determine human impact  of outdoor recreational activity on ecological systems and their interrelationships.

1.3. Consult with appropriate authorities  to identify sensitive areas within the setting and aspects unique to it.

1.4. Liaise with stakeholders  to identify parameters of use .

1.5. Identify implications of parameters of use for planning of outdoor recreation activities within the setting.

2. Prepare a minimal impact plan for the activity and setting.

2.1. Analyse current environmental management strategies  for the site implemented by resource managers.

2.2. Identify and assess the characteristics of the setting  according to the proposed outdoor recreation activity.

2.3. Identify other uses of the setting, the relationship to current management strategies and the implications for offering appropriate recreation opportunities.

2.4. Identify minimal impact practices  and procedures to reduce impact on the natural environment  according to relevant legislation  and organisational minimal impact policies and procedures .

2.5. Develop and document a minimal impact plan  for the activity according to relevant legislation and resource management principles  for the setting.

3. Implement and monitor minimal impact plan.

3.1. Explain aims of minimal impact plan to activity participants.

3.2. Communicate unique aspects  of the setting and specific impacts likely to occur during an activity to participants in the activity.

3.3. Conduct activities according to minimal impact plan, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

3.4. Monitor effectiveness of minimal impact plan.

4. Evaluate minimal impact practices.

4.1. Identify techniques  to determine the nature and degree of impact.

4.2. Evaluate the effectiveness of personal minimal impact practices using basic techniques.

4.3. Modify impact reduction strategies, where necessary, after evaluation.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication and interpersonal skills to:

• consult with authorities, landowners and or custodians regarding strategies to minimise the impact of outdoor activities on specific environments and settings
• convey information to participants about participating in activities responsibly so that environmental impact is minimised

• problem-solving skills to:

• identify and match strategies for minimal environmental impact within an outdoor activity to a particular environmental setting
• develop sustainable solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders

• language and literacy skills to:

• read and analyse relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
• develop and document an environmental minimal impact plan
• source information on ecological systems

• planning and organising skills to:

• plan goals and strategies to achieve minimal environmental impact for an outdoor activity
• monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the plan.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational minimal impact policies and procedures relating to environmental protection and cultural and heritage protection for the activity area and location to enable outdoor recreation activities to be undertaken responsibly
• area restrictions and resource management requirements to enable compliance during outdoor recreation activities
• biological systems, their interrelationships and terminology used in relation to these to enable understanding of potential causes and consequences of environmental impact
• specific problems of fragile environments or threatened species to enable planning for minimal impact
• environmental management practices used by resource management authorities to minimise impact and factors affecting land management planning, such as limits or parameters of acceptable change to enable identification of appropriate strategies and development of appropriate minimal impact plan
• cultural protocols for making contact and communicating with people and organisations to enable effective consultation in relation to any specific cultural requirements for site access and protection
• roles and responsibilities of resource management agencies.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• plans outdoor recreation activities that balance the need to minimise environmental impact of recreational activities with appropriate activities and opportunities
• applies contingency management techniques to deal with concerns over the degree of impact following recreational activities
• adopts and models a responsible attitude towards the natural environment throughout activities.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure planning for minimal impact of outdoor activities by implementing environmental management strategies appropriate to local environments on sufficient occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• an outdoor environment or site with access to land management personnel, stakeholders and participants
• documentation such as organisational minimal environmental impact procedures and practices and relevant environmental protection legislation.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct observation of the candidate's ability to implement minimal environmental practices while planning for an outdoor activity
• oral and written questioning to assess knowledge of key environmental management practices to minimise activity impact appropriate to the locality or site of the outdoor activity
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing evidence of the candidate's planning and implementation of minimal environmental impact practices during an outdoor activity
• a portfolio of evidence of minimal impact plans for specific activities and settings.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SISOODR302A Plan outdoor recreation activities.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ecological systems  may include:

• marine
• flora
• fauna
• wetlands
• community
• biosphere
• cycles
• food chains.

Human impact  may include:

• introduced species
• loss of habitat
• removal of species
• pollution
• physical damage
• alteration to the environment
• noise
• conflicts with other recreational users
• damage to cultural heritage
• crowding.

Authorities  may include:

• cultural custodians
• local, state or federal government agencies.

Stakeholders  may include:

• authorities
• landowners and or custodians
• relevant state and local government bodies
• land managers.

Parameters of use  may include:

• times and duration
• number of users at any one time
• type of activities permitted
• restricted access.

Management strategies  may include:

• dispersal of use
• concentration of use
• site hardening or shielding
• zoning
• size limitations
• noise restrictions
• speed restrictions

Characteristics of the setting  may include:

• biological
• social
• managerial
• access regulations.

Minimal impact practices  may include:

• avoidance of sensitive areas
• appropriate site and route selection
• limited party size
• removal of rubbish
• appropriate sanitation practices
• use of fuel stoves
• use of low impact equipment
• keeping to marked tracks or routes
• appropriate washing procedures
• respect and protection of heritage and cultural sites
• campfire management and rehabilitation.

Impact on the natural environment  may include:

• soil
• plants
• water
• geology
• wildlife.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations
• marine regulations.

Organisational minimal impact policies and procedures  may include:

• restricting access
• limiting group size
• seasonal restrictions
• use of permits
• protocols for consulting stakeholders
• codes of Ethics and Conduct
• heritage and cultural site protocols and guidelines.

Minimal impact plan  may include:

• activity aims to achieve minimal impact
• management strategies to achieve minimal impact.

Resource management principles  may include:

• economic
• environmental
• social.

Unique aspects  may include:

• caves
• archaeological, heritage and cultural sites
• local traditions
• protected areas
• delicate or fragile formations and strata
• flora and fauna with restricted distribution.

Techniques  may include:

• identifying the extent or spatial scale of the impact
• identifying intensity or severity of the impact
• identifying duration of the impact
• gauging stakeholder feedback or concerns.