Conservation Project Management Training - Tauira Mahi Conservation Training

About Course

Conservation Project Management Unit

As conservation projects in Aotearoa New Zealand are becoming more complex, collaborative, and outcomes driven, effective project management is necessary to ensure that conservation initiatives are well planned, achievable, suitably resourced, accountable and able to demonstrate real impact to its stakeholders.

This training unit introduces learners to the fundamental stages of project management and applies them in a conservation context. It is designed to be scenario-based, with learners building their knowledge throughout each module. By the end of the unit, each learner will have worked through a draft plan for a realistic conservation project, as well as demonstrating an understanding of key project management concepts, processes, and tools.

This training unit is designed to guide you step-by-step through the full lifecycle of a conservation project. Each module builds on the last, helping you develop both your understanding and a practical project plan you can take into real-world work.

Define what a project is and explain the role and value of project management within the conservation sector.
Explain the importance of collaboration and stakeholder engagement in conservation projects.
Describe the stages of project management (initiation, planning, execution/monitoring, and closure/hand over) and apply them to a conservation scenario.
Develop practical project plans and charters that include objectives, scope, timelines, budgets, risks, stakeholders, and resource allocation.

Course Content

Conservation Project Management Unit Overview

Unit Introduction Video & Overview

Conservation Project Management Resources Directory
Looking for one of the unit's resources but can't remember where you saw it? Here is a full list.

Module One: Conservation Project Management Introduction
In this module, we will look at some basic foundations of project management. By the end of this module, you will be able to: → Explain what makes a project a project and why it’s different from ongoing work. → Describe why project management is important for conservation projects. → Identify the role of a project manager and key responsibilities. → Recognise who stakeholders are, why they matter, and how to engage them. → Understand the importance of collaboration, including working with mana whenua. → Identify tools and approaches to support planning, tracking, and documenting projects. → Give examples of conservation projects you may encounter, and understand how project management applies to them.

Module Two: Project Initiation
This module takes us through the project initiation stage, which is the very first step in bringing any project to life. This is the stage where ideas start to take shape, stakeholders are identified, and the project’s feasibility is explored. Done well, it sets the tone for everything that comes next. We will look at: → Why the initiation stage matters → Defining name and vision → Defining purpose and objectives → Understanding stakeholders → Setting scope and recognising constraints → Checking feasibility → Creating a project brief → Creating a project charter (or initiation document) – when a formal charter is needed, and when it is not

Module Two: Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
Project Scenario Overview
Topic One – Setting the Scene
Topic One – Reflective Questions
Topic One – Knowledge Check
Topic Two – Identify Stakeholders
Topic Two – Reflective Questions
Topic Two – Knowledge Check
Topic Three – Determine Scope & Constraints
Topic Three – Reflective Questions
Topic Three – Knowledge Check
Topic Four – Drafting the Project Brief & Project Charter
Topic Four – Reflective Questions
Topic Four – Knowledge Check
Bringing Module Two Together
Module Two Knowledge Check

Module Three: Funding
Kia ora and welcome to Module 3 of our training unit on conservation project management. In this module, we will take a closer look at the essential elements of funding for conservation projects.

Module Three – Funding Introduction
Module Three: Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
Topic One – Do you need to be a Registered Charity to apply for funding?
Topic One – Reflective Questions
Topic One – Knowledge Check
Topic Two – Types of Funders
Topic Two – Reflective Questions
Topic Two – Knowledge Check
Topic Three – Developing Project Costings
Topic Three – Reflective Questions
Topic Three – Knowledge Check
Topic Four – Drafting & Submitting a Funding Application
Topic Four – Reflective Questions
Topic Four – Knowledge Check
Topic Five – Understanding Funding Agreements & Expectations
Topic Five – Reflective Questions
Topic Five – Knowledge Check
Topic Six – The Importance of Reporting
Topic Six – Reflective Questions
Topic Six – Knowledge Check
Bringing Module Three Together
Module Three Knowledge Check

Module Four: Planning
Kia ora and welcome to Module 4 in this training unit on conservation project management. In this module, we will build on what we have learned so far through the initiation stage (Module 2) and fundraising stage (Module 3) and move on to the next stage, which is planning.

Module Four – Planning Introduction
Module Four – Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Rescouce
Topic One – Understanding Regulatory and Legislative Requirements
Topic One – Reflective Questions
Topic One – Knowledge Check
Topic Two – Governance and Oversight
Topic Two – Reflective Questions
Topic Two – Knowledge Check
Topic Three – Health & Safety: Planning for Volunteer & Contractor Safety
Topic Three – Reflective Questions
Topic Three – Knowledge Check
Topic Four – Land Access Permissions
Topic Four – Reflective Questions
Topic Four – Knowledge Check
Topic Five – Procurement in Conservation Projects
Topic Five – Reflective Questions
Topic Five – Knowledge Check
Topic Six – Turning Objectives into a Practical Project Plan
Topic Six – Reflective Questions
Topic Six – Knowledge Check
Topic Seven – Budget Planning
Topic Seven – Reflective Questions
Topic Seven – Knowledge Check
Topic Eight – Planning How to Capture Volunteer Contributions
Topic Eight – Reflective Questions
Topic Eight- Knowledge Check
Topic Nine – Risk Management
Topic Nine – Reflective Questions
Topic Nine – Knowledge Check
Topic Ten – Communication Planning
Topic Ten – Reflective Questions
Topic Ten – Knowledge Check
Topic Eleven – Quality Planning: Defining Success
Topic Eleven – Reflective Questions
Topic Eleven – Knowledge Check
Topic Twelve – Data Capture: Recording What Matters
Topic Twelve – Reflective Questions
Topic Twelve – Knowledge Check
Topic Thirteen – Reporting: Planning for Accountability & Transparency
Topic Thirteen – Reflective Questions
Topic Thirteen – Knowledge Check
Module Four – Wrap-Up
Module Four Knowledge Check

Module Five: Implementation

Module Five – Implementation Introduction
Module Five – Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
Topic One – Managing Volunteers
Topic One – Reflective Questions
Topic One – Knowledge Check
Topic Two – Managing Project Information
Topic Two – Reflective Questions
Topic Two – Knowledge Check
Topic Three – Budget Management
Topic Three – Reflective Questions
Topic Three – Knowledge Check
Topic Four – Managing Tasks and Timelines
Topic Four – Reflective Questions
Topic Four – Knowledge Check
Topic Five – Contractor Engagement During Delivery
Topic Five – Reflective Questions
Topic Five – Knowledge Check
Topic Six – Equipment Purchase, Distribution and Asset Management
Topic Six – Reflective Questions
Topic Six – Knowledge Check
Topic Seven – Scheduling and Managing Meetings
Topic Seven – Reflective Questions
Topic Seven – Knowledge Check
Topic Eight – Managing Change and Scope Adjustments
Topic Eight – Reflective Questions
Topic Eight – Knowledge Check
Topic Nine – Capturing Volunteer Contributions
Topic Nine – Reflective Questions
Topic Nine- Knowledge Check
Topic Ten – Maintaining a Risk & Issues Register During Implementation
Topic Ten – Reflective Questions
Topic Ten – Knowledge Check
Topic Eleven – Keeping Everyone Safe
Topic Eleven – Reflective Questions
Topic Eleven – Knowledge Check
Topic Twelve – Maintaining Effective Communication During Implementation
Topic Twelve – Reflective Questions
Topic Twelve – Knowledge Check
Topic Thirteen – Monitoring Progress and Maintaining Momentum
Topic Thirteen – Reflective Questions
Topic Thirteen – Knowledge Check
Module Five Wrap-Up
Module Five Knowledge Check

Module Six: Closure

Module Six – Project Closure Introduction
Module Six – Glossary of Terms & Module Six Study Notes PDF Resource
Topic One – Confirming Scope and Deliverables
Topic One – Reflective Questions
Topic One – Knowledge Check
Topic Two – Wrapping Up the Finances
Topic Two – Reflective Questions
Topic Two – Knowledge Check
Topic Three – Equipment and Asset Management
Topic Three – Reflective Questions
Topic Three – Knowledge Check
Topic Four – Contract and Agreement Close-Out
Topic Four – Reflective Questions
Topic Four- Knowledge Check
Topic Five – Closing the Issues Register
Topic Five – Reflective Questions
Topic Five – Knowledge Check
Topic Six – Transition to Business as Usual (BAU)
Topic Six – Reflective Questions
Topic Six – Knowledge Check
Topic Seven – Lessons Learned and Evaluation
Topic Seven – Reflective Questions
Topic Seven – Knowledge Check
Topic Eight – Document Archiving and Record-Keeping
Topic Eight – Reflective Questions
Topic Eight – Knowledge Check
Topic Nine – Final Reporting
Topic Nine – Reflective Questions
Topic Nine – Knowledge Check
Topic Ten – Celebrating Success and Recognising Contributions
Topic Ten – Reflective Questions
Topic Ten – Knowledge Check
Topic Eleven – Formal Project Closure Sign-Off
Topic Eleven – Reflective Questions
Topic Eleven – Knowledge Check
Module Six Wrap-Up – Closing with Integrity
Module Six – Knowledge Check

Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your conservation skills & knowledge.

About Course

Conservation Project Management Unit

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Conservation Project Management Unit Overview

Unit Introduction Video & Overview

Conservation Project Management Resources Directory Looking for one of the unit's resources but can't remember where you saw it? Here is a full list.

Resource Directory

Module One – Glossary of Terms

Module One – Introduction to Project Management

Module One – Reflective Questions

Module One – Knowledge Check

Module Two: Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource

Project Scenario Overview

Topic One – Setting the Scene

Topic One – Reflective Questions

Topic One – Knowledge Check

Topic Two – Identify Stakeholders

Topic Two – Reflective Questions

Topic Two – Knowledge Check

Topic Three – Determine Scope & Constraints

Topic Three – Reflective Questions

Topic Three – Knowledge Check

Topic Four – Drafting the Project Brief & Project Charter

Topic Four – Reflective Questions

Topic Four – Knowledge Check

Bringing Module Two Together

Module Two Knowledge Check

Module Three: Funding Kia ora and welcome to Module 3 of our training unit on conservation project management. In this module, we will take a closer look at the essential elements of funding for conservation projects.

Module Three – Funding Introduction

Module Three: Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource

Topic One – Do you need to be a Registered Charity to apply for funding?

Topic One – Reflective Questions

Topic One – Knowledge Check

Topic Two – Types of Funders

Topic Two – Reflective Questions

Topic Two – Knowledge Check

Topic Three – Developing Project Costings

Topic Three – Reflective Questions

Topic Three – Knowledge Check

Topic Four – Drafting & Submitting a Funding Application

Topic Four – Reflective Questions

Topic Four – Knowledge Check

Topic Five – Understanding Funding Agreements & Expectations

Topic Five – Reflective Questions

Topic Five – Knowledge Check

Topic Six – The Importance of Reporting

Topic Six – Reflective Questions

Topic Six – Knowledge Check

Bringing Module Three Together

Module Three Knowledge Check

Module Four: Planning Kia ora and welcome to Module 4 in this training unit on conservation project management. In this module, we will build on what we have learned so far through the initiation stage (Module 2) and fundraising stage (Module 3) and move on to the next stage, which is planning.

Module Four – Planning Introduction

Module Four – Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Rescouce

Topic One – Understanding Regulatory and Legislative Requirements

Topic One – Reflective Questions

Topic One – Knowledge Check

Topic Two – Governance and Oversight

Topic Two – Reflective Questions

Topic Two – Knowledge Check

Topic Three – Health & Safety: Planning for Volunteer & Contractor Safety

Topic Three – Reflective Questions

Topic Three – Knowledge Check

Topic Four – Land Access Permissions

Topic Four – Reflective Questions

Topic Four – Knowledge Check

Topic Five – Procurement in Conservation Projects

Topic Five – Reflective Questions

Topic Five – Knowledge Check

Topic Six – Turning Objectives into a Practical Project Plan

Topic Six – Reflective Questions

Topic Six – Knowledge Check

Topic Seven – Budget Planning

Topic Seven – Reflective Questions

Topic Seven – Knowledge Check

Topic Eight – Planning How to Capture Volunteer Contributions

Topic Eight – Reflective Questions

Topic Eight- Knowledge Check

Topic Nine – Risk Management

Topic Nine – Reflective Questions

Conservation Project Management Resources Directory
Looking for one of the unit's resources but can't remember where you saw it? Here is a full list.

Module Three: Funding
Kia ora and welcome to Module 3 of our training unit on conservation project management. In this module, we will take a closer look at the essential elements of funding for conservation projects.

Module Four: Planning
Kia ora and welcome to Module 4 in this training unit on conservation project management. In this module, we will build on what we have learned so far through the initiation stage (Module 2) and fundraising stage (Module 3) and move on to the next stage, which is planning.