Backyard Biodiversity

• • Welcome to Backyard Biodiversity
  • Introduction to biodiversity
  • Ecosystems, resilience and ecosystem services?
  • Biodiversity in Australia?
  • Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Taxonomy: the name game
  • Techniques for detecting wildlife
  • Quantifying biodiversity
  • Habitat!
  • Identifying mammals
  • Identifying birds
  • Identifying reptiles and amphibians
  • It’s the little things in life that matter most: invertebrates and microbes
  • Getting to know your plants
  • Plants that provide food for wildlife
  • Creating terrestrial habitat
  • Creating aquatic habitat
  • Making a backyard habitat management plan
  • Protecting the plants in your yard
  • Protecting the animals (wildlife and pets)
  • Protecting ourselves: dealing with bushfire risk
  • Maintaining backyard habitat
  • Making it work
  • Designing for equity and accessibility
  • Co-benefits for sustainable living

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

No special requirements

Biodiversity is a critical component of sustainable living and is central to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At a local scale, biodiversity is important for healthy and sustainable living, and due to the complexity of biodiversity issues in urban areas, requires well informed and strategic management. Focusing on the biodiversity present in urban areas, especially your own backyard, you will learn about the importance of biodiversity to human and ecosystem health and how biodiversity supports sustainable living. You will develop skills and knowledge in identification, quantification and management of both vertebrate and invertebrate biodiversity, and learn how to modify your environment to facilitate greater biodiversity.

• Fortnightly interactive quizzes (30%)
• Backyard biodiversity report (20%)
• Backyard habitat report (20%)
• Backyard biodiversity management plan (30%)

Current study term: 20 Jun 21 to 12 Sep 21

Next study term: 24 Oct 21 to 13 Feb 22