Managing For Ecological Integrity in BC's Parks and Protected Areas PRKS 3410

Learning Outcomes

• Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Integrity and Protected Areas
• Describe the concept of ecological integrity.
• Prioritize the top 10 threats to ecological integrity in BC parks and protected areas.
• List the main arguments in support of BC Parks adopting an environmental integrity management approach as the fundamental basis of decision-making.
• Module 2: Ecosystem Management
• Define the three elements of an ecosystem.
• Define ecosystem management.
• Explain how the goals of ecosystem management applies to protected areas.
• List the nine basic principles of ecosystem management.
• Recommend alternative models of ecosystem management.
• Module 3: Planning, Design and Reporting for Ecological Integrity
• Explain the importance of conservation biological concepts.
• State the impact of using conservation biological concepts in selecting protected areas.
• Explain the importance of planning for ecological integrity.
• Explain the benefits of producing written reports on the status of the provincial protected area system.
• Module 4: Tools for Understanding and Protecting Ecological Integrity
• Explain the importance of ecosystem science as a key part of managing for ecological integrity.
• Describe how inventory, research and monitoring combine to help make informed management decisions.
• Explain how ecological monitoring and assessment can be used as methods for assessing environmental conditions in a protected area.
• Explain the role of data and technological tools in the presentation and management of ecological integrity.
• Describe the natural and human disturbances that impact on the environment and the subsequent ecological consequences of each (non-native species, etc.).
• Explain the importance of active conservation management programs in protected areas including fire restoration, non-native species, habitat restoration and species re-introduction.
• Module 5: Managing the Built Environment
• Describe how the built environment (infrastructure) in BC's parks and protected areas related to ecological integrity.
• Recommend appropriate methods of facility design and daily operations that will minimize impact to the natural environment.
• Module 6: Managing Human Use of Parks and Protected Areas
• Explain the importance of understanding recreational use patterns and trends.
• Describe the principles and guidelines for human use management.
• Determine ecologically allowable and appropriate human use management.
• Describe tools to monitor and manage human use.
• Module 7: Outreach
• Explain the role that interpretive communications and outreach play as a management tool.
• Explain the role that interpretive communications and outreach play as methods of building public and community support for ecological integrity policies.

Effective as of Spring/Summer 2004

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