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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of wilderness conservation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263357  Demonstrate an understanding of wilderness conservation 
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 3  NQF Level 03  7 
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 for individuals who need to understand and apply the concepts of "Wilderness" and "The Wilderness Experience", and are currently, or have potential to be, working in and around wilderness areas. The unit standard is a requirement for individuals operating within Protected Areas having or potential to have wilderness areas.

An individual found competent against this unit standard will understand the values and benefits of wilderness as well as the impacts of human interventions on wilderness areas. This competence will contribute to wilderness awareness, the sustainable use of wilderness and related protected areas, and therefore benefit a range of critical activities in the biodiversity conservation sub-field.

On achievement of this unit standard learners will be able to:
  • Describe the concepts of both the Wilderness Experience and Wilderness as applied to the Southern African context.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of wilderness in Southern Africa.
  • Describe the need for the management and use of wilderness areas. 
    		•

    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 2. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the concepts of both the Wilderness Experience and Wilderness as applied to the Southern African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of Wilderness is described in terms of both its African and International contexts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Concept of wilderness includes but is not limited to:
  • The origins, history, practices, role (as a protected area category), and definition (IUCN, USA and other African countries as relevant both as in legislation and other).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of the Wilderness Experience is described as it applies to the Southern African context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The Wilderness Experience includes but is not limited to:
  • Cultural importance, aesthetics, spiritual, recreational, and definition.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The key stakeholders in Southern African Wilderness protection are described in relation to their position and functions. including both Non-Governmental Organisations and Critical Government Agencies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The Wilderness Experience includes but is not limited to:
  • Cultural importance, aesthetics, spiritual, recreational, and definition.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of wilderness in Southern Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key Southern African wilderness areas are identified and located on a map. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The unique features are described for each key Southern African wildernesses area in terms of its value for present and future generations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Unique features are compared in terms of the biodiversity associated with Wilderness and the values and benefits of wilderness for present and future generations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The Wilderness Experience, Ecosystem benefits, Recreational, Spiritual, Mental, Emotional benefits to people, Biodiversity.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the need for the management and use of wilderness areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for management and use of wilderness areas are described from a conservation perspective. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Special approaches are explained in terms of the managing and using of Wilderness areas.The need for Wilderness management approaches is described for both dependent and non-dependent scenarios that have an impact on the future availability of the wilderness area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods of using the wilderness area are described in terms of minimal impact requirements and approaches. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Leave no trace, High quality, low density use.
     


    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 basic knowledge and understanding of:
  • Wilderness as endangered space & Definition.
  • Islands of Conservation amongst seas of Humanity.
  • Pre-Modern cultural imprints on the Wilderness Landscape.
  • Underpinning Ethics and attitudes.
  • Leave No Trace & Minimalism.
  • The Wilderness Experience.
  • Legal and other definitions of Wilderness.
  • Relevant Provincial regulations pertaining to wilderness and its management.
  • Ecological Footprint.
  • Brief History of Wilderness Internationally and Southern African.
  • Key Wilderness NGOs in Southern Africa.
  • Unique features of key Southern African wildernesses.
  • Key values and benefits of wilderness.
  • Sustainability future generations & the Pre-cautionary principle.
  • The concept of Future Value.
  • Wilderness management including access.
  • Wilderness-dependent and Non-wilderness dependent uses.
  • Wilderness awareness in developing supportive constituencies. 
    		•

    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 may arise. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management:
  • Conveying an awareness of wilderness conservation to other people requires the learner to work in a methodical and systematic manner. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, evaluating, analysing and interpreting information.
  • The gathering, evaluation, analysis and interpretation of information is supported in this unit standard through the process of collecting, analysing and interpreting information on wilderness conservation and related topics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The reading and interpreting of wilderness conservation and the ability to convey its importance to visitors and the public at large relates directly to the effective use of communication skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Personal development:
  • This unit standard promotes understanding, tolerance and an ability to accept other people's viewpoints on wilderness conservation that may be contrary to the learner's. 
    		•

    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(s).
  • 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:
  • Maintaining 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.