Bushwise Online Field Guiding Course

  
Bushwise Field Guides is the most comprehensive field guide training provider, with a focus on delivering the Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) curriculum to the highest standards.
 
Bushwise is known for its quality, and typically adds exceptional extras to each course with an aim to improve the students employability, fine-tune their field guiding skills, and prepare them for a world of adventures in the bush. By completing the online course students will be certified with the Apprentice Field Guide (NQF2) theoretical knowledge, and have foundation knowledge on a NQF4 Field Guide. 

Program Details
 
The Bushwise Professional Field Guide online course is structured in a way which allows students to complete it at their own pace. 
 

• The online training takes place over the course of 8 weeks
• This includes a recommended 10 hours of required learning per week. 
• To complete the course, learners need to complete a total of 80 hour

 
The course consists of 20 modules. Each module will be delivered by one of our professional trainers as a pre-recorded lecture. This pre-recording gives you the opportunity to work at your own pace, with the ability to go back and forth between certain topics within the module. 
 
Each week you will attend a webinar hosted by one of our trainers. Your participation in the webinar is highly recommended as this will be your opportunity to ask questions and track your progress. Webinar times and schedules will be shared once you have enrolled. 
 
Course Curriculum
 
The Bushwise Professional Field Guide online course is made up of 20 official FGASA modules.
 

• 01 Guiding in the natural environment and creating a guided experience – Learn about valuable people management skills, how to conduct yourself professionally and manage the expectations of guests. Know what a guided experience is, what the aims of guiding are, know what is meant by skills and know what skills are required of a professional guide.

• 02 Geology – Learn about the distinctive geological features in the area. This includes the formation of common rock types, their characteristics, and the interrelationships between rocks, soil, climate, and vegetation in your area. Know and understand the meaning of geology, and be able to provide explanations for the types of plant life and associated animal life that occurs in an area based on soil and rock types.

• 03 Weather and climate – Learn about cloud formations, weather patterns and their impact on biomes. Get to know the general climatic conditions and their influences on weather systems. You will be able to describe the influences on Southern Africa climate and explain weather conditions that apply to the area where you are guiding.

• 04 Astronomy – Identifying prominent stars and constellations. Learn the background to be able to talk about the myths and legends surrounding phenomena found in the night sky. Know and understand the main, interesting features of the night sky, season by season and how to include this in enhancing your clients’ experience.

• 05 Ecology – Learn about animal behaviour patterns, ecological principles, and pollination associations. Learn how to identify special plants, and their ecological associations and how the energy flows in ecosystems. Know and understand how the various components fit into the larger ecosystems and understand its importance in guiding.

• 06 Biomes – Learn what will define a biome, the nine different terrestrial biomes, and the flagship species of each biome. Know and understand how the dynamics of a particular area interact and the role of each element in the functioning of that area.

• 07 Taxonomy – Understand why and how organisms are classified, and name the six kingdoms of living organisms. Learn about the history and the rules of taxonomy. Know and understand how the structures of taxonomy interrelate with the plants and animals in an area.

• 08 Plants – Trees and grasses – Learn how to identify indicator trees, grasses, shrubs, flowers, and also the different medicinal uses and cultural beliefs. With this, be able to explain the myths and origin behind the names of certain species. Know and understand basic botany related topics such as plant processes, be able to identify various plants and learn interesting facts related to traditional beliefs associated with specific species.

• 09 Arthropods – Learn about species identification and classification at an elementary scientific level. You will be able to provide information that relates to interesting facts in respect of amongst other things, feeding habits and behaviour.

• 10 Fish – Learn how to identify common species, know the anatomy, and study their ecological roles. 

• 11 Amphibians – Learn about the anatomy, ecological role and different species.

• 12 Reptiles – Learn about the anatomy, ecological role and different species. Know and understand how to identify the different species based on their features, interesting facts relating to survival strategies and reproduction in the various different species.

• 13 Birds – Learn about the classification, identification (including calls) and anatomy of birds. Know and understand their different features, interesting facts relating to survival strategies and reproduction in the various different species.

• 14 Mammals – Learn the identification, feeding, behaviour, breeding, predation, avoidance, and courtship behaviour. 

• 15 Ethology – Learn about animal behaviour, the why and how, in their natural habitat.

• 16 Conservation management – Learn how to ensure genetic diversity, sustainable use of species and ecosystems and general sustainable conservation. Know and understand what conservation practices are used in the natural environment and why these are carried out.

• 17 Historial human habitation – Learn about the origins of traditional habitants of South Africa, basic human evolution through the different ages, and general history of South Africa.

• 18 Rifles – Learn the fundamentals of rifle handling, care, maintenance and how to use them in the field.

• 19 Radio procedure – Learn about two-way radio techniques, sighting procedures and best practices.

• 20 Viewing potential dangerous animals – Learn how interpret the behaviour of potentially dangerous animals giving you the competence to provide your clients with a well-informed, safety-conscious experience.

 
EARN A CERTIFICATE
 
Want to show colleges, universities and employers that you’ve got the knowledge and skills covered in this course?
At the end of the online course, students will receive the following certifications

• Apprentice Field Guide NQF2 theory
• Field Guide NQF4 knowledge 
• Bushwise online field guide certification

Add the certificate to your college application, your graduate school application, your job application or your LinkedIn page.