SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Facilitate a wilderness experience 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263364  Facilitate a wilderness experience 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for people who lead wilderness trails, are involved in interpreting wilderness, facilitate a wilderness experience. This competence will contribute to the sustainability of both conservation and preservation of wilderness, promote biodiversity values and appreciation amongst the public, and inculcate a care for earth and the environmental processes integral to people's lives. In addition this competence will contribute to conserving protected areas and will benefit a range of critical activities in the biodiversity conservation sub-field.

On achievement of this unit standard learners will be able to:
  • Define the values and benefits of wilderness conservation for both diverse communities and towards sustainable development in South Africa.
  • Describe the principles and ethics required for optimal wilderness management & facilitation.
  • Facilitate and evaluate a wilderness experience. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learners are competent in Mathematical Literacy and Communication at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define the values and benefits of wilderness conservation for diverse communities and towards sustainable development in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The differences between developed and developing communities are identified as it applies to the diversity of communities impacting on wilderness areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The value and benefits of wilderness are discussed in terms of their application eco-therapy and emotional awareness programmes for Southern Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relevance of Wilderness to present and future generations is analysed in terms of the benefits and value. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The benefit of using the precautionary principle towards sustainable use of the environment is described in terms of conservation objectives. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the principles and ethics required for optimal wilderness management. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of zoning and Management plans is described in terms of the support of wilderness management and facilitation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Operational responsibilities, obligations and key underlying ethics are described as it applies to Wilderness Managers and concessionaires using wilderness areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relationships between wilderness management principles and ethics are explained in terms of the impact on the quality of the wilderness experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A personal code of wilderness ethics is compiled that incorporates different perspectives of wilderness ethics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Perspectives include Bio-centric, anthropocentric and cultural perspectives.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Facilitate and evaluate a wilderness experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Group dynamics are analysed for applicability to a wilderness experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A Wilderness experience is facilitated in a manner that incorporates individual and group perspectives. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Use of Solitude and Silence, leading by example.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Safety measures required in the facilitation of a wilderness experience are explained for a given scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Facilitation skills and attitudes applied contribute to the successful facilitation of a wilderness experience that incorporates all sensory perceptions, as well as spiritual, mental and emotional engagement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A code of wilderness ethics is compiled and used to guide facilitation practice and to evaluate individual performance in the facilitation of a wilderness experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The conducted wilderness experience is evaluated through self evaluation and peer group evaluation methods. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Wilderness Philosophy.
  • Safety issues in wilderness.
  • Hygiene issues in wilderness.
  • Camp etiquette in wilderness.
  • Relationships & inter-connectedness in wilderness.
  • Leave-no-trace and minimalism.
  • Role of wilderness facilitation in a wider biodiversity and protected area conservation context.
  • Wilderness conservation as an integral part of biodiversity conservation.
  • Ecosystem services.
  • Wilderness ethics.
  • Communication competencies-verbal and non-verbal.
  • Interpersonal skills pertaining to working with cultural diversity.
  • Facilitation competencies.
  • Evaluation of Facilitation competencies.
  • Evaluation of Wilderness Experiences.
  • Self Evaluation skills.
  • Peer and Group Evaluation skills.
  • Wilderness as endangered space & Definitions.
  • Pre-Modern cultural imprints on the Wilderness Landscape.
  • Ecological Footprint.
  • Brief History of Wilderness Internationally and Southern African.
  • Key Wilderness NGOs in Southern Africa.
  • Unique features of key Southern African wildernesses.
  • Wilderness-dependent and Non-wilderness dependent uses.
  • Key values and benefits of wilderness including inherent non-utilitarian values of wilderness.
  • Wilderness management.
  • The Wilderness Experience holistically (Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Emotions, Aesthetics). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving:
  • Problem identification and solutions are achieved through applying new concepts and ways of thinking to address problems that occur. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork:
  • Teamwork and interaction is required for the successful facilitation of a wilderness experience. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management:
  • Facilitating and interpreting the wilderness experience to other people requires the learner to work in a methodical and systematic manner. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Critically collecting, evaluating, analysing and interpreting information:
  • This skill is enhanced through the process of collecting and critically analysing and interpreting information on wilderness conservation and related topics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication:
  • The reading, interpreting and facilitation of the wilderness experience and the ability to convey this to visitors and the public at large relates directly to the effective use of communication skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems:
  • A clear understanding of the interplay between different role-players involved in ecology and conservation environments as applicable to wilderness conservation is essential for successfully completing this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Personal development:
  • This unit standard promotes understanding, reflection, tolerance and an ability to accept other people's viewpoints on wilderness and related topics that may be contrary to the learner's and also to improve own facilitation skills. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Typically facilitation of a Wilderness Experience usually takes five days in wilderness areas free of modern day man's influences and imprints depending on the background and current stresses of the person(s) undergoing the experience. It is possible to have a Wilderness Experience of less than this but this will require an experienced and highly skilled facilitator with demonstrated wilderness ethics; that is to say a learner undertaking this unit standard will not be able to facilitate a wilderness experience in less than five days.

    Values:
  • For the purpose of this unit standard, the following apply:

    Wilderness areas include:
  • Legally proclaimed Wilderness areas such as designated in the Protected Areas Act(s).
  • Non-protected areas for example untrammelled areas, semi-desert and desert areas, large un-inhabited areas, oceanic tracts, mountains.

    The Wilderness Experience is deemed to include, cetrus paribus, a facilitated experiential intentionality aimed at using non-judgmental wilderness settings in bringing about positive attitudinal changes towards wilderness (in whole or in part), it's benefits, relationships, and inherent values. Personal wilderness experiences usually include feelings of inner peace, harmony, and wholeness.

    Demonstration of the knowledge and understanding outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Maintaining essential ecological processes and the natural environment.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
  • Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystems.
  • Ethics and attitudes underpinning wilderness conservation and preservation.
  • Pre-modern man's cultural imprints on wilderness areas are considered.
  • All above are demonstrated with specific reference to wilderness areas.

    The intention is to yield the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59949   National Certificate: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.