What Makes a Species ‘Threatened’? Teaching Biodiversity and Species Protection

What Makes a Species ‘Threatened’? Teaching Biodiversity and Species Protection

  • Cool+
  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Environmental
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • ...

Course Summary

Learn about biodiversity and threatened species with Ecologist Thomas Nixon. You will learn what biodiversity is and how it is regulated in Australia, and you will look at some specific case studies that show what is being done across the country to protect our unique biodiversity.

Video transcript

G'day, I’m Thomas Nixon, an ecologist and park ranger. 

Today we're diving into the exciting world of biodiversity. Biodiversity is all about the incredible variety of life on our planet, from different genetics to different ecosystems. In Australia, biodiversity is like our national treasure, and we've got some serious regulations to protect it. These rules, they ensure that our unique plants and animals have safe spaces to thrive. We are gonna zoom in on some cool case studies from around the country. We'll see how people and organisations are teaming up to protect threatened species, like saving cute bandicoots to guarding against invasive species. From planting native gardens to creating safe havens in the wild. There's so much that we can do to make a difference.

Get ready to learn, explore, and become champions for Australia's biodiversity with me. Let's uncover the secrets of our wild world and discover how each of us can play a part in keeping it that way.

You will learn:

  • the importance of biodiversity
  • regulated biodiversity and threatened species in Australia
  • investigate case studies from around Australia on what is being done to protect threatened species.

Course time:

This course is expected to take 30 to 45 minutes. It is perfect for after work or during a spare period. You will have ongoing access via your user dashboard.

Accreditation:

This course is mapped to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Proficient Teacher – all states and territories except NSW

  • Focus area 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and system priorities.

ACT Accreditation

This course is not currently accredited by TQI. However, you can upload it towards your hours as a Teacher Identified Activity.

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Course Content

What Makes Something ‘Threatened’?

What Makes Something ‘Threatened’?

01.
Introduction
02.
What is Biodiversity?
03.
What happens when we don’t have biodiversity?
04.
How do we measure and monitor biodiversity?
05.
Lists, lists and more lists!
06.
The IUCN Red List (International Biodiversity Classification)
07.
How can status change?
08.
What is threatening biodiversity in Australia?
09.
What is being done to protect biodiversity in Australia?
10.
Case study - EBB on Phillip Island (Island Ark - Successful Recovery Program)
11.
Case study - BNTW at Idalia (Failed Translocation)
12.
Case study - LHI Rodent Eradication (Pest Animal Eradication and ongoing Biosecurity)
13.
What can you do?
14.
Course re-cap
15.
Congratulations

Meet the Expert

I’m Thomas Nixon, an ecologist and threatened species expert. I have worked with numerous groups and species across Australia - including bandicoots in Victoria, wombats in central QLD, Mala in the NT, koalas in NSW, and rock wallabies in north QLD. 

From a young age, I travelled with my grandparents on birdwatching trips around NSW, instilling a passion for the natural world and a desire to protect it. Through this course and my work, I hope to inspire people to want to help our threatened species.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log this PD with my states teaching authority?

Yes! Our courses are mapped to the Australian Professional Teacher Standards (AITSL), and your completion can be logged as elective PD hours with your state's teaching regulatory authority. To do this, grab your certificate of completion from your personal dashboard once the course is complete.

  • Focus area 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and system priorities.

How long will this take to complete?

This course is expected to take 30 to 45 minutes. It is perfect for after work or during a spare period. You will have ongoing access via your user dashboard.

Will I get proof of completion?

You will get a Cool.org certificate when you finish to prove that you have completed this course. You can access this certificate (and your course progress!) anytime via your personal dashboard.

Is this course accredited?

This course is mapped to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Proficient Teacher – all states and territories except NSW

  • Focus area 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice - Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and system priorities.

ACT Accreditation

This course is not currently accredited by TQI. However, you can upload it towards your hours as a Teacher Identified Activity.

Who are the instructors?

This course is designed in consultation with teachers, principals, psychologists, counsellors, scientists, and all manner of experts in the education field.

Cool.org's curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum and best educational practice, so you can be sure your learning is at the cutting edge of education theory.

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