SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply wilderness management principles and practice 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263362  Apply wilderness management principles and practice 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is aimed at individuals who are involved in the preservation or management of wilderness areas who need to obtain skills and competencies to improve their management of wilderness environments. It is also applicable for those who may wish to include wilderness in or around their protected area(s). Furthermore it will sensitise individuals towards the importance of wilderness for present and future generations. This competence will significantly contribute to the sustainability of wilderness and it's ecosystem processes and species as well as related protected areas and therefore benefits a range of critical activities in the biodiversity conservation sub-field.

On achievement of this unit standard learners will be able to:
  • Explain how environmental considerations describe the designation and purpose of wilderness areas.
  • Evaluate wilderness conservation / preservation for people.
  • Contribute to the development of a wilderness conservation management plan.
  • Apply conservation management principles to and within a wilderness area and it's surrounding area. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain how environmental considerations describe the designation and purpose of wilderness areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of environmental legislation is explained as it applies to wilderness areas. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legislation includes but is not limited to:
  • The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (No. 57 of 2003 (NEM: PAA), Relevant Provincial regulations.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The influence of the legal & non-legal requirements on wilderness managers' actions is assessed in terms of its impact on operational responsibilities. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Statutory / Legal responsibilities, Sociological responsibilities.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The designations and purposes of protected and wilderness areas respectively are compared so as to investigate best conservation/preservation practice models. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Best practices models includes but is not limited to:
  • SANParks, KZNWildlife, Namibian Conservancies; Traditional Indigenous systems; Pre-colonial Indigenous practises.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Evaluate wilderness conservation/preservation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The differences between developed and developing communities are evaluated in terms of its scope, opportunities, benefits and status for African and non-African scenarios. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of the wilderness experience is explained in terms of the value and benefits of wilderness to the community. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Wilderness Experience includes but is not limited to:
  • Spiritual, cultural, emotional, religious, physical, aspects.

    Values and benefits include:
  • Wilderness therapy, Emotional Awareness Programmes; Health and Wellness programmes, space and openness, increased public understanding and awareness; Ecosystem processes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sustainable development is interpreted from a wilderness conservation/preservation perspective. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sustainable development includes:
  • Financial, ecological, aesthetic, social, minimalism, Environmental Management Practises, Tourism resource demands and impacts.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Contribute to the development of a wilderness conservation / preservation management plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The issues and challenges facing wilderness are described from a conservation / preservation management perspective. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Challenges include internal and external threats to the quality and quantity of wilderness resources, non-sustainable practises, development impacts; mitigation measures and strategies to address these challenges; communication with and by decision-makers.

    Best-practise principles are described as applicable to conservation management planning.
  • Management plans adhere to NEM: PA Act [No. 57 of 2003] and other relevant legislation; The international wilderness management principles and their application; international wilderness management principles in Southern Africa.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A management plan is compiled that accommodates identified best-practice principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Zonation justification; peripheral development; Policy Document(s).
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply conservation management principles to a wilderness area and its surrounds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ethics and underpinning attitudes of area management are described as it applies to wilderness areas and its surrounds. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Attitudes towards the management of the learner's own operational wilderness as well as conservation in general.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Strategies are described for application of the management & monitoring of wilderness management actions or inactions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The different visitor uses of the wilderness area and its surrounds are described in terms of their real or potential impacts on the wilderness. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to:
  • Low impact, low density, high quality wilderness experience, Tourism opportunities, use and access, Scientific use, Community access, Management access.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Mitigation methods applied to monitoring results in terms of adaptive management are evaluated as applicable to wilderness areas. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Different wilderness management monitoring methods; monitoring methods of impact; mitigation and rehabilitation strategies.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of:
  • Definitions & significance of wilderness.
  • Environmental considerations, issues & challenges facing wilderness.
  • Legal & Non-legal Designation of wilderness areas.
  • Conservation & preservation of wilderness areas.
  • Conservation management plans & zonation.
  • Conservation management principles.
  • Methodologies of protection.
  • National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (No. 57 of 2003 (NEM: PAA).
  • Relevant Provincial & International regulations pertaining to wilderness and its management.
  • Operational responsibilities of wilderness managers and operators.
  • Access & Regulation towards Minimum Impact use.
  • Indigenous systems and practises pertaining to wilderness and its management.
  • Ethical considerations.
  • Precautionary Principle.
  • Values and benefits of wilderness.
  • Valuation methods (present and future values).
  • The wilderness experience and qualifiers of wilderness.
  • Eco-therapy.
  • Sustainable development.
  • Minimalism.
  • Environmental Management Practises.
  • Underpinning Ethics and attitudes.
  • Development impacts.
  • Mitigation measures and strategies.
  • Decision-taker communication.
  • Integrated management planning.
  • International wilderness management.
  • Monitoring and mitigation of impacts.
  • Limits of Acceptable Change.
  • Thresholds of Potential Concern.
  • Tourism uses & opportunities in and around wilderness areas.
  • Adaptive management.
  • Conservation of biodiversity.
  • Ecosystem services provision. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving:
  • Problem identification and solutions are achieved through applying new concepts and ways of thinking to address problems that occur and through experience in applying adaptive management. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork:
  • Teamwork and interaction is required for the successful management of wilderness areas. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management:
  • Managing wilderness areas requires the learner to work in a methodical and systematic manner. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Critically collecting, evaluating, analysing and interpreting information:
  • This skill is enhanced through the process of collecting and critically analysing and interpreting information on wilderness conservation and related topics with reference to effective wilderness management. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication:
  • The reading and interpreting information on the management of wilderness areas will increase the ability to convey this to visitors, other stakeholders and the public at large relates directly to the effective use of communication skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems:
  • A clear understanding of the interplay between different role-players involved in ecology and biodiversity conservation is premised on the interaction and inter-relatedness of systems as it applies to wilderness is essential for successfully completing this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Personal development:
  • This unit standard promotes understanding, tolerance and an ability to accept other people's viewpoints on wilderness management approaches that may be contrary to the learner's and will improve own management skills through adaptive management. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Values:

    For the purpose of this unit standard, Wilderness areas include:
  • Legally proclaimed Wilderness areas such as designated in the Protected Areas Act and other Statutes.
  • Non-protected areas for example untrammelled areas, semi-desert and desert areas, large un-inhabited areas, oceanic tracts, and mountains.

    The Wilderness Experience is deemed to include, cetrus paribus, a facilitated experiential intentionality aimed at using non-judgmental wilderness settings in bringing about positive attitudinal changes towards wilderness (in whole or in part), it's benefits, relationships, and inherent values. Personal wilderness experiences usually include feelings of inner peace, harmony, and wholeness.

    Demonstration of the knowledge and understanding outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • aintaining essential ecological processes and the natural environment.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
  • Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystems.
  • Ethics and attitudes underpinning wilderness conservation and preservation.
  • Pre-modern man's cultural imprints on wilderness areas are considered.
  • All above are demonstrated with specific reference to wilderness areas.

    The intention is to yield the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59949   National Certificate: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.