Assessor Resource

SISOOPS304A
Plan for minimal environmental impact

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to those who work in a range of roles and settings across the sport and recreation sector.

This may include those working for private outdoor adventure companies, volunteer organisations, not for profit organisations or government agencies.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan outdoor activities to ensure that minimal environmental impact occurs. The planning requires consideration of the appropriate combination of an activity with a setting. This involves the learner making informed decisions about the selection of settings and the conduct of the activity during the planning phase.

For Indigenous contexts, the delivery and assessment against this competency standard must comply with community protocols and guidelines and be supported by elders and custodians of country.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

plans outdoor recreation activities that balance the need to minimise environmental impact of recreational activities with appropriate activities and opportunities

applies contingency management techniques to deal with concerns over the degree of impact following recreational activities

adopts and models a responsible attitude towards the natural environment throughout activities.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure planning for minimal impact of outdoor activities by implementing environmental management strategies appropriate to local environments on sufficient occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

an outdoor environment or site with access to land management personnel, stakeholders and participants

documentation such as organisational minimal environmental impact procedures and practices and relevant environmental protection legislation.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate's ability to implement minimal environmental practices while planning for an outdoor activity

oral and written questioning to assess knowledge of key environmental management practices to minimise activity impact appropriate to the locality or site of the outdoor activity

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing evidence of the candidate's planning and implementation of minimal environmental impact practices during an outdoor activity

a portfolio of evidence of minimal impact plans for specific activities and settings.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOODR302A Plan outdoor recreation activities.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication and interpersonal skills to:

consult with authorities, landowners and or custodians regarding strategies to minimise the impact of outdoor activities on specific environments and settings

convey information to participants about participating in activities responsibly so that environmental impact is minimised

problem-solving skills to:

identify and match strategies for minimal environmental impact within an outdoor activity to a particular environmental setting

develop sustainable solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders

language and literacy skills to:

read and analyse relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

develop and document an environmental minimal impact plan

source information on ecological systems

planning and organising skills to:

plan goals and strategies to achieve minimal environmental impact for an outdoor activity

monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the plan.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational minimal impact policies and procedures relating to environmental protection and cultural and heritage protection for the activity area and location to enable outdoor recreation activities to be undertaken responsibly

area restrictions and resource management requirements to enable compliance during outdoor recreation activities

biological systems, their interrelationships and terminology used in relation to these to enable understanding of potential causes and consequences of environmental impact

specific problems of fragile environments or threatened species to enable planning for minimal impact

environmental management practices used by resource management authorities to minimise impact and factors affecting land management planning, such as limits or parameters of acceptable change to enable identification of appropriate strategies and development of appropriate minimal impact plan

cultural protocols for making contact and communicating with people and organisations to enable effective consultation in relation to any specific cultural requirements for site access and protection

roles and responsibilities of resource management agencies.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ecological systems may include:

marine

flora

fauna

wetlands

community

biosphere

cycles

food chains.

Human impact may include:

introduced species

loss of habitat

removal of species

pollution

physical damage

alteration to the environment

noise

conflicts with other recreational users

damage to cultural heritage

crowding.

Authorities may include:

cultural custodians

local, state or federal government agencies.

Stakeholders may include:

authorities

landowners and or custodians

relevant state and local government bodies

land managers.

Parameters of use may include:

times and duration

number of users at any one time

type of activities permitted

restricted access.

Management strategies may include:

dispersal of use

concentration of use

site hardening or shielding

zoning

size limitations

noise restrictions

speed restrictions

Characteristics of the setting may include:

biological

social

managerial

access regulations.

Minimal impact practices may include:

avoidance of sensitive areas

appropriate site and route selection

limited party size

removal of rubbish

appropriate sanitation practices

use of fuel stoves

use of low impact equipment

keeping to marked tracks or routes

appropriate washing procedures

respect and protection of heritage and cultural sites

campfire management and rehabilitation.

Impact on the natural environment may include:

soil

plants

water

geology

wildlife.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational minimal impact policies and procedures may include:

restricting access

limiting group size

seasonal restrictions

use of permits

protocols for consulting stakeholders

codes of Ethics and Conduct

heritage and cultural site protocols and guidelines.

Minimal impact plan may include:

activity aims to achieve minimal impact

management strategies to achieve minimal impact.

Resource management principles may include:

economic

environmental

social.

Unique aspects may include:

caves

archaeological, heritage and cultural sites

local traditions

protected areas

delicate or fragile formations and strata

flora and fauna with restricted distribution.

Techniques may include:

identifying the extent or spatial scale of the impact

identifying intensity or severity of the impact

identifying duration of the impact

gauging stakeholder feedback or concerns.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Source information on ecological systems and their interrelationship to the activity setting. 
Determine human impact of outdoor recreational activity on ecological systems and their interrelationships. 
Consult with appropriate authorities to identify sensitive areas within the setting and aspects unique to it. 
Liaise with stakeholders to identify parameters of use. 
Identify implications of parameters of use for planning of outdoor recreation activities within the setting. 
Analyse current environmental management strategies for the site implemented by resource managers. 
Identify and assess the characteristics of the setting according to the proposed outdoor recreation activity. 
Identify other uses of the setting, the relationship to current management strategies and the implications for offering appropriate recreation opportunities. 
Identify minimal impact practices and procedures to reduce impact on the natural environment according to relevant legislation and organisational minimal impact policies and procedures. 
Develop and document a minimal impact plan for the activity according to relevant legislation and resource management principles for the setting. 
Explain aims of minimal impact plan to activity participants. 
Communicate unique aspects of the setting and specific impacts likely to occur during an activity to participants in the activity. 
Conduct activities according to minimal impact plan, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Monitor effectiveness of minimal impact plan. 
Identify techniques to determine the nature and degree of impact. 
Evaluate the effectiveness of personal minimal impact practices using basic techniques. 
Modify impact reduction strategies, where necessary, after evaluation. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOOPS304A - Plan for minimal environmental impact
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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOOPS304A - Plan for minimal environmental impact

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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