Unit Outline

Conservation efforts globally are focussed primarily on biodiversity, but geodiversity elements and features such as soils, rivers, mountains and caves provide humans with awe and inspiration, enjoyment, and a wealth of ecosystem and geosystem services. In this unit, you will learn about how to recognise geodiversity elements as critical system supports for biodiversity and ecosystem function, and to appreciate their cultural and recreational value for society. Using a series of masterclasses with global experts (in-field, in person and online), you will be immersed in the practices of geoconservation and 'geotourism'. With no prior knowledge or skills required, you will develop skills as a communicator and conservation professional, and learn how to: - Rank and assess geodiversity elements (as 'units' of conservation) and features in terms of their rarity, uniqueness, importance to science and society, - Construct inventories of abiotic, biotic and cultural elements and values for recreation and reserve establishment - Undertake in-field degradation assessments of landscapes used by humans for tourism and production - Recommend management strategies to restore landscape features and values for human enjoyment and wilderness protection - Undertake decision-making in a range of modes – graphical, consensus methods, GIS methods and qualitative methods. - Communicate landscape features and conservation strategies to a broad range of audiences and stakeholders. Any student interested in how to undertake conservation practice, curate heritage, restore degraded environments, assess landscape suitability for tourism and other ventures, or to communicate natural values will find KGA527 useful. All skills and knowledge required to successfully complete KGA527 are developed within the unit.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Construct inventories for geodiversity for heritage, tourism and conservation purposes
2	Evaluate land degradation and vulnerability of geodiversity elements and values .
3	Recommend appropriate infrastructure, experiences, and management options for geodiversity elements using decision-support tools
4	Communicate geodiversity values to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KGA327

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Last year, the typically outstanding delivery and experience of KGA527 was affected by the sudden illness of the coordinator and main lecturer in the unit, resulting in some ad hoc scheduling changes that affected the quality of student experience.

This year, we have re-designed the unit, making the delivery more resilient and providing a dedicated KGA527 class which will facilitate a focussed, small-group experience.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Workshop	One 2-hour masterclass per week (excluding field trip weeks). These masterclasses are designed to be led by professionals with the intent of fostering professional skills.	2	StudyPeriod 11 times
	Fieldwork	A whole-day (8 hour) during semester (Friday March 14 plus bus travel of up to 2 hours each way. Students participating in-person must allow for these travel times in their scheduling. If you are unable to join in-person due to time constraints, please arrange to join the online activities.	8	Once only
	Independent Learning	You will be required to read provided materials, prepare assignment work and maintain up-to-date records of your learning throughout the teaching period.	2	Weekly
	Fieldwork	A two-day fieldwork camp (Saturday-Sunday, 5-6 April 2025).	20	Once only
Online	Workshop (Online)	One 2-hour masterclass per week (excluding field trip weeks). These masterclasses are designed to be led by professionals with the intent of fostering professional skills. Online students can attend these via zoom in an immersive room (small class of 10-15 each week) or watch/read the resources independently at a time most convenient to you.	2	StudyPeriod 11 times
	Fieldwork	An online virtual field trip lead by instructors and curators to assist you with developing field inventory and condition monitoring skills. This online virtual journey has been designed specifically for you. As a result, the on-campus date of March 14 (when face-to-face students are in the field) does not need apply to you, and the relevant instructors will contact you to negotiate a suitable time where most online students can attend a zoom session to complete the work, perhaps after hours.	4	Once only
	Independent Learning	You will be required to read provided materials, prepare assignment work and maintain up-to-date records of your learning throughout the teaching period.	2	Weekly
	Clinical or Professional Practice	A two-day series of professional training sessions and seminars will be held in two sessions on Saturday and Sunday April 5th and 6th. These assist you to develop skills similar to students attending KGA527 camp.	16	Once only

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

KGA527 AT3 requires data collection and interaction with community groups and/or landscape conservation professionals. This is delivered via the field camp or online workshops and data collection experience on April 5th and 6th, 2025. Please choose one of these options to give you the best opportunity to complete the task.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	AT2: Geosite nomination	Week 6	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	AT3: Geotrail or Heritage Trail	Week 10	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	AT4: Video Experience	Week 14	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	AT1: Weekly interactive task development	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT2: Geosite nomination

Task Description:

You are required to submit a mock nomination of a primary geosite or a geodiversity site or an item of ex situ geoheritage of natural (and - if justified - cultural) value.

This must be a place that has never been listed on a conservation inventory for its geodiversity, geoheritage or geosystem service value previously. Specific instructions on how to identify 'your own' site/feature will be provided on MyLO.

Via an online web-form that can be accessed multiple times up until the due date, you will be required to answer a series of questions about your chosen site or item. These include site/item description, values and significance assessment, threat assessment, locations, management goals and reference and supporting materials. Some parts of the form will require you to upload additional materials to support your nomination, such as maps or images from the web.

Access the 3 hr 15 min, quiz-style task on MyLO from 12:01 am Sunday March 30th to 11:59 pm Monday March 31st. The quiz shuts at 11:59, so join earlier than 8:44 pm on the 31st for the maximum time.

Task Length:

1200 words plus graphical and photographic appendices and tables in online web-form format with internal character limits for various sections.

Due Date:

Week 6 (31/Mar/2025)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Justifies nomination using relevant inventory and natural and cultural values selection.	LO1, LO3, LO4
2	Accurately assesses significance, management priorities and risks using defensible criteria	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Meaningfully considers and critiques the recommendation and valorisation	LO2
4	Communicates in own words using discipline-specific terminology and geosite or geodiversity site nomenclature.	LO4
5	Provides appropriately- prepared, referenced and valid supplementary materials such as maps, images and diagrams to support case for nomination.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: AT3: Geotrail or Heritage Trail

Task Description:

You are required to produce a four-stop geotrail or heritage trail, of your own design, featuring the following components in a word document:
1. Trail purpose and mode
2. Trail layout/location
3. Trail features and valorisation
4. Constraints analysis for the trail - MCDA and/or GIS and planning implications
5. Trail 'presentation' by way of Google earth KML output with pictures and interpretive sign at each stop.

Submit files to MylO by 11:59, May 11. Please note that the system that we use to write due dates/times does not allow me to select '11:59 PM' from the drop-down box, only '00:00'. Correct time 11:59.

Task Length:

Up to 1,500 words (excluding tables, figures, GIS outputs, screenshots and photographs)

Due Date:

Week 10 (11/May/2025)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describes purpose, features and goals of trail.	LO1
2	Produces trail using digital tools.	LO3
3	Accurately identifies site and use constraints.	LO1, LO2
4	Conducts trail/site valorisation with accurate application of criteria.	LO1
5	Communicates site features as aligned with usage goals and trail purpose.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: AT4: Video Experience

Task Description:

Using video software supplied to you in class, produce a five-minute video explaining geoconservation issue (especially landscape conservation or recreation issues). Communicate the messages in the video using language that a person with a generalist, non-specialist knowledge would be able to understand. Integrate a range of geographical, geospatial and geoconservation techniques into the video, demonstrating your proficiency in using these throughout the semester, apply these to an issue of your choice.
Video production software provided now enables you to be able to produce highly sophisticated media productions. Use of generative AI to create voiceovers or to generate primary media content is not permitted in this task, although you are permitted to use generative AI to create accompanying music, enhance transitions between video segments, or to animate, for instance, a landscape process - provided that you consult the AI checklist online and clearly indicate where AI has been used.

Submit your video link to the dropbox. Please note that this is the absolute last date and time that I can accept this task, prior to certification of S1 grades. Due time means: end of Monday/midnight

Task Length:

5-minute video

Due Date:

Week 14 (24/Jun/2025)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Reviews a self-conceptualised geoconservation topic, augmented by reference materials from professional and technical literature, and unit materials.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Justifies how specific examples of geodiversity, geoheritage or geosystem services play a role in the video topic.	LO1, LO4
3	Integrates theory and conceptual information into topic narrative and explanations	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Shows how issue may be resolved, clarified or promoted using appropriate tools or techniques	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
5	Produces engaging media for an interested, non-specialist audience	LO4

Assessment Task 4: AT1: Weekly interactive task development

Task Description:

Each week, from weeks 2-6; 8-12, you will be required to engage deeply with interactive MyLO content that forms the basis of your practical workshop preparation and knowledge development. Activities such as short videos of concepts, technical readings and other interactive media will need to be watched or read by you, after which you will complete a short embedded quiz-style activity. This assessment breaks up your home-study time into manageable weekly components, allowing you to track your progress and prepare for weekly teaching activities in your own time.

Task Length:

Online MyLO small tasks that incorporate your readings, landscape of the week videos, short questions and forum engagement and comprise your weekly pre-practical preparation (1-2 hours weekly).

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Correctly identifies abiotic features	LO3
2	Correctly describes geographical processes	LO1

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.