About Course
Conservation Project Management Course
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 course 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 course, 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 course is designed to guide you step-by-step through the full life cycle 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.
What Will You Learn?
- You will be able to define what a project is and explain the role and value of project management within the conservation sector.
- You will be able to explain the importance of collaboration and stakeholder engagement in conservation projects.
- You will be able to describe the initiation, fundraising, planning, implementation and closure stages of project management, and apply them to a conservation scenario.
- You will be able to develop practical project plans and charters that include objectives, scope, timelines, budgets, risks, stakeholders, and resource allocation.
Course Content
Conservation Project Management Unit Overview
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Conservation Project Management Course Overview
Course Resources Directory
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Resource Directory
Module One: Introduction to Project Management
In this module, we will look at some basic foundations of project management.
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Module One – Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
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Module One – Introduction to Project Management
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Module One – Knowledge Check
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
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Module Two: Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
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Project Scenario Overview
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Topic One – Setting the Scene
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Topic One – Knowledge Check
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Topic Two – Identifying Stakeholders
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Topic Two – Knowledge Check
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Topic Three – Determining Scope & Constraints
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Topic Three – Knowledge Check
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Topic Four – Drafting the Project Brief & Charter
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Topic Four – Knowledge Check
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Bringing Module Two Together
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Module Two Knowledge Check
Module Three: Funding
In this module, we will take a closer look at the essential elements of funding for conservation projects.
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Module Three – Funding Introduction
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Module Three: Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
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Topic One – Do you need to be a Registered Charity?
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Topic One – Knowledge Check
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Topic Two – Types of Funders
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Topic Two – Knowledge Check
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Topic Three – Developing Project Costings
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Topic Three – Knowledge Check
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Topic Four – Drafting & Submitting a Funding Application
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Topic Four – Knowledge Check
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Topic Five – Understanding Funding Agreements & Expectations
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Topic Five – Knowledge Check
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Topic Six – The Importance of Reporting
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Topic Six – Knowledge Check
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Bringing Module Three Together
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Module Three Knowledge Check
Module Four: Planning
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.
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Module Four – Planning Introduction
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Module Four – Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
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Topic One – Understanding Regulatory and Legislative Requirements
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Topic One – Knowledge Check
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Topic Two – Governance and Oversight
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Topic Two – Knowledge Check
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Topic Three – Planning for Volunteer & Contractor Safety
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Topic Three – Knowledge Check
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Topic Four – Land Access Permissions
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Topic Four – Knowledge Check
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Topic Five – Procurement in Conservation Projects
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Topic Five – Knowledge Check
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Topic Six – Turning Objectives into a Practical Project Plan
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Topic Six – Knowledge Check
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Topic Seven – Budget Planning
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Topic Seven – Knowledge Check
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Topic Eight – Planning How to Capture Volunteer Contributions
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Topic Eight- Knowledge Check
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Topic Nine – Risk Management
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Topic Nine – Knowledge Check
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Topic Ten – Communication Planning
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Topic Ten – Knowledge Check
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Topic Eleven – Quality Planning: Defining Success
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Topic Eleven – Knowledge Check
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Topic Twelve – Data Capture: Recording What Matters
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Topic Twelve – Knowledge Check
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Topic Thirteen – Reporting: Planning for Accountability & Transparency
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Topic Thirteen – Knowledge Check
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Bringing Module Four Together
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Module Four Knowledge Check
Module Five: Implementation
In this module, we will move from planning into implementation and explore how the project manager’s role shifts during project delivery.
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Module Five – Implementation Introduction
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Module Five – Glossary of Terms & Study Notes PDF Resource
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Topic One – Managing Volunteers
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Topic One – Knowledge Check
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Topic Two – Managing Project Information
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Topic Two – Knowledge Check
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Topic Three – Budget Management
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Topic Three – Knowledge Check
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Topic Four – Managing Tasks and Timelines
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Topic Four – Knowledge Check
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Topic Five – Contractor Engagement During Delivery
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Topic Five – Knowledge Check
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Topic Six – Equipment Purchase, Distribution and Asset Management
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Topic Six – Knowledge Check
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Topic Seven – Scheduling and Managing Meetings
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Topic Seven – Knowledge Check
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Topic Eight – Managing Change and Scope Adjustments
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Topic Eight – Knowledge Check
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Topic Nine – Capturing Volunteer Contributions
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Topic Nine- Knowledge Check
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Topic Ten – Maintaining a Risk & Issues Register During Implementation
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Topic Ten – Knowledge Check
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Topic Eleven – Keeping Everyone Safe
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Topic Eleven – Knowledge Check
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Topic Twelve – Maintaining Effective Communication During Implementation
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Topic Twelve – Knowledge Check
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Topic Thirteen – Monitoring Progress and Maintaining Momentum
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Topic Thirteen – Knowledge Check
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Bringing Module Five Together
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Module Five Knowledge Check
Module Six: Closure
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Module Six – Project Closure Introduction
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Module Six – Glossary of Terms & Module Six Study Notes PDF Resource
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Topic One – Confirming Scope and Deliverables
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Topic One – Knowledge Check
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Topic Two – Wrapping Up the Finances
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Topic Two – Knowledge Check
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Topic Three – Equipment and Asset Management
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Topic Three – Knowledge Check
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Topic Four – Contract and Agreement Close-Out
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Topic Four- Knowledge Check
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Topic Five – Closing the Issues Register
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Topic Five – Knowledge Check
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Topic Six – Transition to Business as Usual (BAU)
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Topic Six – Knowledge Check
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Topic Seven – Lessons Learned and Evaluation
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Topic Seven – Knowledge Check
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Topic Eight – Document Archiving and Record-Keeping
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Topic Eight – Knowledge Check
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Topic Nine – Final Reporting
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Topic Nine – Knowledge Check
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Topic Ten – Celebrating Success and Recognising Contributions
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Topic Ten – Knowledge Check
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Topic Eleven – Formal Project Closure Sign-Off
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Topic Eleven – Knowledge Check
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Bringing Module Six Together
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Module Six – Knowledge Check
test
Earn a certificate
Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your conservation skills & knowledge.
