Certificate in Conservation and Land Management Training Course

Did you know that best-practice land management now combines strict herbicide SOPs that build weed prevention into every project step, stakeholder‑driven restoration that adapts actions as landowners and communities provide feedback, and wetland monitoring that tracks how land‑use change alters water quality so managers can adjust conservation strategies in real time?

Course Overview

The Certificate in Conservation and Land Management Training Course from Rcademy is designed to equip environmental team members, bushland crew members, pest and weed teams, conservation professionals, landcare workers and managers, bushland caretakers, bush regeneration program professionals, revegetation workers, Indigenous land workers, bush regeneration managers, soil conservation teams, land rehabilitation workers, Indigenous plants protection officers, and National Parks field officers with a practical understanding of conservation operations. Participants gain expert knowledge of hazardous chemical storage and transport under WHS legislation, risk analysis and meteorological monitoring for safe chemical use, map reading and GPS navigation, cultural and ecological site inspection protocols, and ecosystem reconstruction planning with partnership strategies.​

Without specialized conservation and land management training, professionals may struggle to follow label and state guidelines for herbicide application while minimizing soil disturbance, facilitate meetings and negotiate adjustments to balance ecological objectives with landowner interests, design sampling plans that show how land‑use changes affect water quality, identify biosecurity hazards before commencing work, or select appropriate weed control methods that combine preventative, biological, mechanical, and chemical approaches. This comprehensive course therefore focuses on translating best-practice frameworks and field standards into day-to-day procedures that protect natural areas and support effective ecosystem restoration.

The Certificate in Conservation and Land Management Training Course covers transporting and storing chemicals including storing and transporting hazardous chemicals, creating safety checklists, and acquiring personal protective equipment, acquiring and applying chemicals including risk analysis, monitoring meteorological conditions, and safely disposing of surplus chemicals, reading and interpreting maps including planning routing, using GPS data, and using contour lines to understand slope and drainage, conducting cultural and ecological site inspections including identifying biosecurity hazards, locating cultural and heritage features, and consulting with Indigenous stakeholders, implementing ecosystem reconstruction works including leadership intent for restoration, partnership strategies, and selecting locally native species, weed control including preventative methods, biological control, and developing integrated weed management plans, sampling and testing water including creating valid sampling plans, measuring pH and dissolved oxygen, and choosing representative sampling locations, and identifying plant specimens including inspecting morphological characteristics, using botanical keys, and recognizing invasive species. Participants learn to segregate incompatible chemicals during storage and transport, conduct pre-operational checks and calibrate equipment, record waypoints and transects digitally for repeat monitoring, use standard ecological survey methods such as quadrats and transects, apply erosion control measures such as mulching and contour banks, prioritize high-risk invasive species and sensitive habitats, and follow standard chain-of-custody procedures for samples.​

Real-world cases show how the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s herbicide treatment standard operating procedures for vegetation treatments on public lands set out detailed prevention and control measures for weeds, including integrating prevention into project planning, minimizing travel through weed-infested areas, cleaning machinery, and rapidly revegetating disturbed ground, with procedures requiring that herbicide use follow label and state guidance, consider residual effects, and maintain weed-free staging areas.

Studies also show that a case study of riparian landscape restoration on privately owned land with public access in Sweden analysed meeting minutes and stakeholder surveys and found that continuous involvement allowed project managers and stakeholders to adjust restoration activities over time, with three adjustment types identified: managers altered interventions in response to concerns, stakeholders modified their views as the project progressed, and stakeholder perspectives shifted through interaction with others, resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes.

Take charge of your conservation expertise. Enroll now in the Rcademy Certificate in Conservation and Land Management Training Course to master the practical skills that drive effective environmental protection.

Who Should Attend?

The Certificate in Conservation and Land Management Training Course from Rcademy is ideal for:

• Environmental team members
• Bushland crew members
• Pest and weed control teams
• Conservation professionals
• Landcare workers and managers
• Bushland caretakers
• Bush regeneration program professionals
• Revegetation workers
• Indigenous land workers
• Bush regeneration managers
• Soil conservation teams
• Land rehabilitation workers
• Indigenous plants protection officers
• National Parks field officers
• Environmental consultants
• Anyone seeking comprehensive conservation certification

What are the Training Goals?

The main objectives of the Certificate in Conservation and Land Management Training Course are to enable professionals to:

• Develop an affinity for the natural world and learn various methods of taking care of it.
• Be part of the large community of people that are after improving the environment globally.
• Attain the ability to work in teams and in remote conditions.
• Develop a strong pathway to continue with their study and enhance their career opportunities.
• Develop strong communication capabilities.
• Learn various methods of attaining land sustainability.
• Understand how to examine how economic activities such as farming and forestry can be managed efficiently.
• Understand the existing scenario of natural resources and their environment.
• Get to know the regulatory and supervisory requirements in conservation and natural resource management.
• Efficiently manage the environment.
• Develop the guidelines to restore deteriorating land and natural resources.

How Will This Training Course Be Presented?

At Rcademy, the extensive focus is laid on the relevance of the training content to the audience. Thus, content is reviewed and customised as per the professional backgrounds of the audience.

The training framework includes:

• Expert-led lectures by conservation and land management professionals using audio-visual sessions
• Hands-on exercises with GPS navigation, chemical application calibration, and water quality testing equipment
• Interactive workshops for stakeholder engagement design, integrated weed management planning, and restoration project development
• Case studies covering U.S. BLM herbicide treatment standard procedures, riparian restoration with stakeholder involvement in Sweden, and Kirala Kele wetland water quality monitoring in Sri Lanka
• Practical simulations for ecological site inspections, equipment cleaning protocols, and plant specimen identification

The theoretical part of training is delivered by an experienced professional from the relevant domain, using audio-visual presentations including videos, lectures, presentations, group discussions, assignments, exercises, and case studies. This conservation-focused approach ensures professionals translate theory into practical workflows through safe chemical handling, ecosystem restoration implementation, and water quality monitoring.​

This comprehensive certification model ensures participants gain both conservation fundamentals and hands-on proficiency to immediately apply environmental management expertise in bushland restoration, weed control, land rehabilitation, and natural area protection roles.​

Register now to experience a rigorous, hands-on learning journey designed to equip you for leading conservation, land management, and ecosystem restoration initiatives.

Course Syllabus

Module 1: Transporting and Storing Chemicals

• Storing hazardous chemicals
• Transporting hazardous chemicals
• Creating a safety checklist
• Following regulations
• Considering the work health and safety (WHS) legislation
• Acquiring personal protective equipment
• Managing hazardous chemical risks
• Code of practice
• Reading and interpreting Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all products​
• Segregating incompatible chemicals during storage and transport​
• Labelling containers correctly according to regulations​

Module 2: Acquiring, Preparing, and Correctly Applying Chemicals for Diseases, Pest, and Weeds Control

• Risk analysis of hazardous chemicals of the existing options
• Assessments available for chemicals
• Monitoring of meteorological conditions
• Mixing and loading chemicals under the labeling requirements
• Identifying hazards and implementing risk controls procedures
• Safely disposing of surplus chemicals and empty containers
• Conducting pre-operational checks and calibrating equipment
• Recording information such as the concentration of chemicals applied
• Noting and recording weather conditions that impact spray drift
• Selecting the most appropriate chemical and formulation for target species​
• Using droplet size and nozzle selection to minimise spray drift​
• Applying integrated pest and weed management principles, not relying solely on chemicals​

Module 3: Reading and Interpreting Maps

• Planing routing using maps
• Assessing and selecting a route to a destination using map data
• Selecting maps and navigation equipment and checking for accuracy
• Identifying and locating the required destination on a map
• Identifying relevant map symbols and information
• Measuring and estimating the distance to the destination using a map scale
• Planning and navigating alternative routes to avoid inefficient routes progress
• Using geographical features to identify and locate positions on maps
• Orient the map or plan to surroundings and planned route
• Using GPS data to precisely record locations according to workplace procedures
• Using contour lines to understand slope, drainage, and erosion risk​
• Recording waypoints and transects digitally for repeat monitoring​

Module 4: Conducting a Cultural and Ecological Site Inspection Before Works

• Reporting identified risks and threats
• Identifying biosecurity hazards and threats for sites
• Identifying and recording actions to mitigate biosecurity risks
• Determining biosecurity implications of work
• Confirm field observations against plans and specifications
• Identify and record new or unreported biosecurity threats
• Locate known cultural and heritage features and boundaries in the field
• Identifying and recording species locations that are subject to legislative requirements
• Confirming workplace procedure for responding to new cultural and heritage discoveries during work
• Identifying previously recorded biosecurity threats
• Using standard ecological survey methods such as quadrats and transects​
• Consulting with Indigenous stakeholders about culturally significant sites​
• Recording GPS coordinates and photographic evidence of key features​

Module 5: Implementing Ecosystem Reconstruction Works

• Leadership intent for ecological restoration
• Partnership strategy to increase the effectiveness
• Socioeconomic benefits of ecological restoration
• Reforesting after wildfire
• Watershed improvement in forests
• Scheduling restoration
• Restoring the landscape affected by unmanaged recreation
• Handling conservation education
• Applying best-practice principles for ecosystem restoration planning​
• Selecting locally native species and appropriate provenance for planting​
• Using erosion control measures such as mulching, contour banks and groundcovers​
• Monitoring restoration sites over time and adapting management as needed​

Module 6: Weed Control

• Controlling weeds using preventative methods
• Biological control of weeds
• Mechanical methods of weeds control
• Chemical usage in handling weeds
• Using cultural methods to handle weeds
• Maintaining healthy soil
• Taking care of the topsoil
• Developing an integrated weed management plan combining multiple methods​
• Prioritising high-risk invasive species and sensitive habitats​
• Timing control actions to target vulnerable weed life stages​
• Preventing weed spread via machinery, soil, and contaminated materials​

Module 7: Sampling and Testing of Water

• Creating a valid plan for sampling and testing
• Repairing and maintaining sampling tools
• Collecting data or record sheets for use
• Completing water sampling and testing activities
• Handling samples of water
• Reporting of issues in samples
• Installing data collection equipment
• Following standard chain-of-custody procedures for samples​
• Measuring key water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, nutrients and dissolved oxygen​
• Choosing representative sampling locations upstream and downstream of impacts​

Module 8: Identifying Plant Specimens

• Identifying the specimen
• Inspecting plant morphological characteristics
• Reporting on the process results
• Determining the status of health and its effect on characteristics
• Identifying plant division
• Using botanical keys, field guides, and herbarium references for identification​
• Recording habitat, associated species and site conditions with each specimen​
• Recognising common invasive species versus native look‑alikes

Training Impact

The impact of Certificate in Conservation and Land Management training is visible in how organizations achieve safer and compliant use of herbicides and other chemicals, more effective and stakeholder-supported ecosystem restoration, and integrated water and land management to protect wetlands and catchments.​

U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Herbicide Use Standards in Public-Land Projects

Implementation: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s herbicide treatment standard operating procedures for vegetation treatments on public lands set out detailed prevention and control measures for weeds, including integrating prevention into project planning, minimizing travel through weed-infested areas, cleaning machinery, and rapidly revegetating disturbed ground. Prevention, early detection, and rapid response are the most cost-effective methods of weed control with the BLM’s Partners Against Weeds Action Plan establishing priorities including taking actions to prevent or minimize the need for vegetation control (Priority 1), using effective nonchemical methods (Priority 2), and using herbicides after considering effectiveness of all potential methods (Priority 3). During project planning, measures to prevent introduction or spread of weeds are incorporated into project layout and design, weed risks are assessed, prevention practices are identified, and prevention and maintenance needs including herbicides are determined at the onset. Examples of prevention actions during project activities include cleaning all equipment and clothing before entering the project site, avoiding soil disturbance and conditions that promote weed germination, and using weed-free seed, hay, mulch, gravel, soil, and mineral materials where state or county programs exist. The BLM participates in the National Early Warning and Rapid Response System for Invasive Plants with goals to minimize establishment and spread of new invasive species through early detection and reporting, identification and vouchering, verification of new records, archival in databases, rapid assessment, and rapid response to verified new infestations.​

Results: They also require that herbicide use follow label and state guidance, consider residual effects, avoid promoting weed germination, and maintain weed-free staging areas, providing a concrete model of chemical and weed management that aligns with this course’s chemical handling, weed control, and soil conservation modules. Standard operating procedures for applying herbicides include preparing operational and spill contingency plans in advance, conducting pretreatment surveys, selecting herbicides that are least damaging while providing desired results, applying the least amount needed, having licensed applicators apply herbicides, using only EPA-approved herbicides following product label directions, considering surrounding land use before aerial spraying, minimizing application area size, complying with herbicide-free buffer zones, posting treated areas with reentry times, notifying adjacent landowners, and keeping Material Safety Data Sheets at work sites. Prevention measures during revegetation include cultivating previously disturbed sites to reduce weed seeds, revegetating sites once work is completed, using native seed of known origin, using seed free of noxious weeds as documented by certified seed laboratory tests, limiting nitrogen fertilizer that favors annual grass over forb growth, using clean equipment free of plants, including native nectar and pollen producing plants for pollinators, and avoiding grazing until vegetation is well established.​

Riparian Landscape Restoration on Private Land with Public Access – Stakeholder-Driven Adjustments

Implementation: A case study of riparian landscape restoration on privately owned land with public access in Sweden analysed meeting minutes and stakeholder surveys and found that continuous involvement allowed project managers and stakeholders to adjust restoration activities over time. Ecological restoration involves a dual uncertainty or disagreement, one connected to changes in the environment and in human expertises, and another related to changes in views of acceptability over time and underlying value disagreements, with the former often attended to under adaptive management while the latter is less often considered. Using a combination of a survey distributed to stakeholders in the involvement process and content analysis of the minutes from the series of meetings, the concerns and views of stakeholders and the kinds of adjustment which took place were identified. Stakeholders were generally positive about being involved but expressed various concerns about the restoration approach itself, especially the open-endedness, and about specific interventions. The approach called “adjustive ecological restoration” depends on the ability to work with stakeholders, willingness to adjust, high levels of trust, and the leveling of expectations at the beginning of the process.​

Results: Three adjustment types were identified: managers altered interventions in response to concerns, stakeholders modified their views as the project progressed, and stakeholder perspectives shifted through interaction with others, resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes and illustrating the value of partnership strategies and adaptive planning taught in this course’s ecosystem reconstruction and community-based conservation topics. Project managers adjusted activities based on stakeholders’ raised concerns and values, stakeholders modified views in response to project managers as the restoration project proceeded, and shifts in views took place within the stakeholder group based on exchanges with other stakeholders involved in the project. Mutual benefits and a higher level of mutual understanding were reached through this approach, demonstrating the importance of leadership intent, partnership strategies, and community engagement key themes in ecosystem reconstruction and conservation modules. This case demonstrates that project staff need both ecological knowledge (species, hydrology, soil) and social skills (facilitating meetings, negotiating adjustments, building trust) to carry out adjustive ecological restoration, with course content on ecosystem reconstruction, cultural and ecological site inspections, and partnership strategies equipping conservation professionals and landcare workers to lead similar projects balancing ecological objectives, landowner interests, and public access.​

Kirala Kele Wetland, Sri Lanka – Water-Quality Monitoring to Guide Wetland Conservation

Implementation: A study of the Kirala Kele wetland in Sri Lanka selected sampling sites representing different land uses, collected replicated surface water samples, and analysed physicochemical parameters to assess spatial and temporal variation and ecological risk. The present study was conducted with objectives to assess spatial and temporal variation of selected physicochemical water quality parameters in sampling sites, to quantify the level of ecological risks of disturbances occurring using the Wetland Classification and Risk Assessment protocol by Escom, and to assess the relationship between selected disturbances and physicochemical parameters of surface water. Twelve sampling sites were selected to reflect different land uses including industrial activities (site 1), solid waste dumping (site 2), intensive fishing (site 3), buffalo bathing (site 4), high floral density (site 5), agriculture practices (site 6), livestock raising (site 7), land farming (site 8), human settlements (site 9), tourism activities (site 10), water inflow (site 11), and water outflow (site 12). Pre-cleaned sample bottles were used with three replicates from each sampling site at the same water depth (25 cm) obtained from all 12 sites in three sampling events (March, April, and May), with samples preserved using sulfuric acid per international standards and analyzed for electric conductivity, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. Field measurements were carried out to get data on pugging, stability of bank, percentage of aquatic cover, presence of algae, fringing vegetation cover, and number of layers of macrophyte plants using established protocols.​

Results: Results showed differences in disturbance categories across sites and led the authors to recommend integrated wetland management and continuous water-quality monitoring to conserve the wetland, closely paralleling this course’s emphasis on water sampling plans, equipment maintenance, data recording, and linking land management actions to aquatic ecosystem health. Site 2, site 5, site 10, and site 11 showed a category B level in wetland characterization and risk assessment highlighting few levels of modifications and largely natural status of sites, while other sampling sites showed category C with moderate disturbances. There was significant temporal variation of pH, electrical conductivity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen content among sampling sites, however spatial variation of electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen was significantly higher in site 9, site 10, and site 11 respectively. The study demonstrates the applicability of this model for rapid assessment of wetland characteristics and risks to sustainably conserve and manage wetlands, with the significance of the study providing a framework to assess the risk of wetlands caused by multi-scale disturbances agents synergized with physicochemical parameters through the Wetland Classification and Risk Assessment Index. The Kirala Kele wetland study uses planned sampling designs, calibrated equipment including pH meters and dissolved oxygen meters, and consistent field protocols to measure parameters across land-use gradients, with course modules on sampling and testing water, handling samples, installing data-collection equipment, and reading and interpreting maps building the same technical competencies needed by water-quality technicians, land rehabilitation workers, and conservation officers.​

Be inspired by how science, policy, and field practice come together to protect land and ecosystems. Join the Rcademy Certificate in Conservation and Land Management Training Course to gain the practical skills that support effective environmental management.