Help to Look After our Wildlife
Our wildlife is a vital part of the natural ecosystem. The world wouldn't exist without it, yet all too often mankind's greed and need to make use of land means that the needs of all sorts of creatures are ignored.
This course provides students with a solid foundation in wildlife management and conservation issues.
Students can go out and make a difference to how natural resources are managed and do their best to ensure that wildlife is protected.
There has never been a better time to work with Wildlife
With a generation of wildlife professionals retiring, and a number of worldly trends now impacting our wildlife more than ever, now is the time to train as a wildlife professional.
Consider the possibilities of working in a diverse and rapidly evolving profession that provides you with opportunities for intellectual challenge, travel and interesting co-workers, while allowing you to work outdoors among nature and an opportunity to implicate real positive changes for future life on our planet.
Train for a Professional Career working with Wildlife.
Take the next step beyond a certificate to a professional level course of training in wildlife management.
This course would be close to two years of full time study at most colleges; however, under our system you may fast track it or take it slow. Some may complete it in one year, while others may take many years to finish the course. If you wish to achieve career success in this industry, a substantial course (around 1500 hrs or more) together with experience (initially most would gain experience as a volunteer), is what is needed to optimise your opportunities.
This course is different to many others, because it goes well beyond just teaching you basic management skills. It is an "experiential based" learning program; designed to get you involved with a variety of professionals, while exploring the nature and scope of the wildlife management.
This networking will provide the basis for ongoing success you need to become "connected" and remain "connected", so that you see and adapt to changes as your career moves forward.
Modules
Note that each module in the Advanced Certificate in Wildlife Management is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
CASE STUDY – Bird requirements and uses of habitat
What Birds Need
Water
Birds need water to survive. A garden pond, stream or even a dish of water will attract birds.
Protection
Birds like a safe environment. Birds will be more inclined to visit a garden that is free from predators such as cats. Birdbaths and feeding tables should be at least one metre above the ground in an open position where they will be protected from predators. Bird boxes provide a place for birds to escape predators.
Non Threatening Environment
Birds will be more attracted to a quiet environment. Noisy children, barking dogs, cats or loud music will scare many birds away.
Food
Using bird feeders or putting out feed such as nectar substitute or seed will attract birds. Bread is not recommended as it is a low energy food, not good for bird heath and it also tends to attract imported rather than native birds. Honey should also not be fed to birds. If you want birds that you have to return on a regular basis it is important to feed them the appropriate food at regular intervals. Feeders can be located to attract birds to places where you can easily see them. Bird groups and clubs can provide recommendations on what is best to feed to birds. Native bird seed mixes can be bought in pet shops to attract native birds.
Habitat features used by birds
Trees
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Trees provide places where birds can perch out of reach of predators.
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Rotten cavities in trees can provide nesting places for birds, especially owls, blue birds, parrots.
Plants
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Plants provide food sources for birds such as seeds and nectar.
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Plants can provide nesting materials for birds with items such as twigs, leaves and grass being able to be collected and used for nests.
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Dead foliage dropped from plants provides mulch on the ground where earthworms and other small animals such as lizards can live providing a food source for birds
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Flowers provide an environment for insects, slugs, and other animals to live that birds can feed on.
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Plants can provide protection from weather extremes for birds.
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Plants, particularly dense foliage, provide protection to birds from predators such as cats.
WHAT IS NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN WILDLIFE?
Success in the wildlife industry is not just a matter of being able to do the job. It is also very much dependent upon the attitude you have and the decisions you make.
Working with wildlife is not just a profession, it is a passion!
If you value wildlife and the environment around it, then there are so many opportunities with a wildlife management background.
Where can this course lead?
Industry is changing faster than ever; and will continue to change; and for ongoing success you need to become "connected" and remain "connected", so that you see and adapt to recent changes, and ongoing changes as your career moves forward.
Wildlife careers are often typified as animal and environmental conservation and rehabilitation work. This, indeed, is one avenue this course could lead you on. Job opportunities in wildlife, however, will be highly varied in the future so current students need to "think outside the box". This course may deliver different things to different graduates. The following are just some of the opportunities that may be found in wildlife management in the future:
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Research and Development - in self employment; sub contracting R & D services, or working for someone.
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Health Testing or Assessment Services - can be as varied as testing animal samples in the lab to conducting fauna surveys and animal behavioural assessments in the field.
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wildlife Feeding and Nutrition
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Environmental Consultation
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Psychological Health
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Sales and Marketing - animal services and products
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Education -public education
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Tourism - ecotourism
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Business Management and Development - requires both management skills as well as a solid understanding of the wildlife industry.
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Journalism and Writing
With the strong foundation gained through this course, you will have a great standing for any successful career in wildlife.
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