Full course description
Course of Study summary:
This course of study is designed to help Bureau of Land Management employees learn more about the management of wilderness study areas.
Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) are part of the BLM's National Landscape Conservation System. WSAs have been identified through wilderness review required by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) as having wilderness characteristics that make them eligible for designation as Wilderness. The Wilderness Study Areas Management online course of study offers an opportunity for BLM staff and partners to better understand the specific requirements for managing these protected lands.
Course of Study objectives:
After completing all five modules in this course of study, participants should be able to:
- Discuss what Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) are and how they fit into BLM's mission; the key laws, processes, and management principles related to WSAs; and how WSAs differ from wilderness and lands with wilderness characteristics.
- Discuss the general policy requirements for managing WSAs, including those for permanent files, boundaries, land acquisitions, and monitoring. Guiding principles for WSA management are discussed.
- Discuss and explain how to apply the non-impairment standard and allowable exceptions.
- Discuss actions requiring wilderness evaluation, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis requirements, and the process to evaluate and document the evaluation of a proposed action inside a WSA.
- Discuss monitoring requirements, alternative schedules, and methods.
Creators:
This course of study was designed and developed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands.
Module topics include:
- Module 1: What Is a Wilderness Study Area?
- Module 2: General Policy Requirements for Managing a Wilderness Study Area
- Module 3: What Is the Non-Impairment Standard?
- Module 4: Evaluating the Impact of a Proposed Action on a Wilderness Study Area
- Module 5: Monitoring
Module elements:
- Informational text
- Engaging videos
- Real-life examples and case studies
- Links to resource manuals and documents
- Interactive practice activities
- Informal assessment quizzes
- Final assessments
These modules are self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the modules as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing the content and activities in each module, you will complete a final quiz to evaluate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of all module quizzes with a score of 80% or higher, you will be awarded a course of study certificate of completion.
Recommended background
There are no prerequisites for this course; all are welcome.
How to access:
Upon enrolling, you will receive instructions and the link to the Canvas course. Note: When you register, you will receive an email invitation. Be sure to accept that invitation, or Canvas will not allow you to open the course modules.
Enrollees can move through content modules at their own pace within the course timeframe.