These are self-paced, continuous enrollment courses offered through the UM Wilderness Institute.
Course summary:
Natural sounds awaken our sense of awe; connect us to the splendor of wilderness; and powerfully affect our emotions, attitudes, and memories. This course will help users learn the difference between sounds and noises in wilderness soundscapes, identify threats to these soundscapes, and examine strategies for soundscape management.
Course objectives:
After completing this course, learners should be able to:
· Explain the basis for managing the soundscape and the acoustical environment in wilderness as provided by the Wilderness Act and agency policy.
· Recognize potential threats to the soundscapes and acoustical environment in wilderness.
· Identify several strategies for addressing threats to soundscapes and the acoustical environment in wilderness, including planning and monitoring.
Recommended background
It is strongly recommended that you complete The Wilderness Act of 1964 e-course before beginning this course. Without a foundational understanding of the Wilderness Act, you will not be able to get the most out of this course and could find the content confusing. Other recommended courses are the Minimum Requirements Analysis courses (both Writing and Evaluating) and Natural Resource Management in Wilderness: Fundamentals.
Course topics include:
· Key Terms
· Law and Policy
· Wilderness Character
· Stewardship Goal
· Stewardship Model
· Step 1: Identify Goal
· Step 2: Inventory
· Step 3: Is Action Necessary?
· Step 4: Action Alternatives
· Step 5: Evaluate Actions
· Step 6: Monitor and Adapt
Elements of the course:
· Informational text
· Interactive practice activities
· Supplemental reference materials
· Final assessment
This course is self-paced, allowing learners the flexibility to complete the course as quickly or slowly as they need.
After completing all course content and activities, you will complete a final quiz to demonstrate your understanding of key course concepts. Upon successful completion of the quiz, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Recommended background
It is strongly recommended that you complete The Wilderness Act of 1964 e-course before beginning this course. Without a foundational understanding of the Wilderness Act, you will not be able to get the most out of this course and could find the content confusing. The Minimum Requirements Analysis courses (both Writing and Evaluating) are also strongly recommended. It is recommended that you also complete Natural Resource Management in Wilderness: Fundamentals before beginning the course.
Please Note: After successfully registering for this course, login information for the online learning platform, Canvas, will be emailed to you at the address used for your account creation. This process could take up to 48 hours to complete. If you do not receive the login information in 48 hours, please email for assistance.