Conservation and Restoration

Biodiversity loss is one of the key environmental challenges globally. In this stream, you'll learn strategies for conserving and restoring the natural world.

Coordinator: Dr Jasmin Hufschmid

Overview

Conservation of biodiversity and the restoration of biological communities and landscapes  pose huge challenges for managers of our natural resources. Meaningful progress in this area demands rigorous training in a range of disciplines, especially conservation biology, restoration ecology and landscape management, as well as in the policies and social issues that enable or constrain success. This specialisation focuses on the conservation and restoration of ecosystems, with exciting subjects also available in wildlife conservation.

  • Designed for

    Students with undergraduate studies and/or professional experience in life sciences, forestry, natural resource management, agriculture, parks and wildlife management or environmental engineering. It also suits professionals wanting to upgrade or link their skills to environmental management.

  • Career Outcomes

    Local, state, and national government regulators (e.g. Department of Environment), non-government conservation bodies (e.g. WWF), environmental consulting companies, private nature conservancies, and agencies involved in ecological restoration in Australia and in developing countries.

    Example roles:

    • Researcher
    • Ecologist
    • Government department Environmental Officer
    • NGO Environmental Officer

View full list of Conservation and Restoration subjects in the Handbook

Example study plan (100 point program)

Year 1

Semester 1

Environmental Sustainability

Wildlife Management

Soil Science and Management

Environmental Impact Assessment

Semester 2

Partnerships for Sustainable Futures

Ecological Restoration

Environmental Research Project

Casey Visintin
Casey Visintin,
PHD researcher.
Centre of Excellence
for Environmental Decisions,
University of Melbourne

"One of my most professionally beneficial and academically fulfilling experiences has been the completion of the Conservation specialisation in the Master of Environment.  The program provided breadth in learning opportunities as well as extensive support for interdisciplinary collaboration.  By allowing the flexibility for a research component, the degree enabled my transition from a technical profession (Architect) to a PhD research position looking at the mitigation of ecological damage caused by human industrialisation and development."