Managing Wildlands and Wild Spaces Certificate Program
Time limit: 385 days
2.5 credits
Full course description
Program summary:
This certificate program consists of six online courses that present a wildland planning framework for managing the many types of outdoor spaces we refer to as "wild." Based on the concept of Wilderness Character, consisting of five qualities of wilderness, these courses describe a resource management and planning approach for wildlands of all sizes managed by state and local agencies, as well as private land trusts and other organizations.
Whether a natural preserve, forest park, greenway, or other wildland, these natural areas are managed to promote a sense of wilderness for visitors and the local community. Understanding the wildland character and qualities of any wild site will drive better stewardship of the wilderness resources.
Program objectives:
After completing this certificate program, learners should be able to:
- Define and describe "wilderness character" and its qualities.
- Recognize how planning and management activities impact wilderness character.
- Identify wilderness and wild-like areas on the public lands with which they are familiar.
- Utilize wilderness values to inform management of near-wilderness and wild-like spaces.
- Select management approaches and tools to meet wilderness character goals.
- Determine specific management strategies for maintaining wild spaces.
Recommended background:
Managing Wildlands and Wild Spaces is designed for resource managers and other staff working at state or local agencies, or private organizations that manage open space. No prior knowledge is required to complete this certificate.
Program topics:
- Course 1: What is Wilderness Character?
- Course 2: Talking About Wild Places and Spaces
- Course 3: Planing Wildlands
- Course 4: Strategies of Wildland Character Management
- Course 5: Monitoring Wildland Character
- Course 6: Special Scenarios in Wildlands
The certificate program includes the following elements:
- Six self-paced, self-study e-courses
- Independent study assignments, which allow you to apply what you have learned in the courses and are reviewed by course instructors, with substantive feedback provided
- Informational text
- Interactive activities
- "Learn More" opportunities
- Supplemental reference materials
- Informal quizzes
- Final assessments
These courses are self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the courses as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing the content and activities in each course module, you will complete a final quiz to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of all course module quizzes and assignments, you will be awarded a program certificate of completion.
Creators:
This certificate program was designed and developed by the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University. Content has been adapted from courses developed in partnership with the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center.
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.