Throughout the world there are over 160,000 protected areas that are managed with the aim of ensuring the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. Good governance, planning and management are essential if protected areas are to achieve this aim. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills required by contemporary protected area professionals working in middle or senior governance or management roles. This course covers governance, planning and management practice in government, private and community-based protected areas. Terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected areas are addressed. Course objectives At completion of the course, graduates will be equipped, with respect to protected areas, to: analyse the quality and appropriateness of governance arrangements; provide institutional leadership and development; plan for and manage financial and physical resources; plan for and manage human resources; respect the rights and aspirations of local and indigenous communities and cultures; analyse and contribute to planning processes for reserve selection; design and implement adaptive planning and management processes; prepare protected area management plans; plan and manage for biodiversity conservation outcomes; plan for and manage tourism, recreation and public use; plan for and manage community engagement processes; and plan and implement research. Career outcomes Graduates will have governance, planning and management knowledge and skills sought by government protected area agencies, private and NGO protected area managers, and community-based organisations. The course has been designed to meet international competencies for protected area planners specified by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, with a particular focus on middle and senior governance and management roles. Professional Recognition Professional recognition will be sought from the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas once their proposed accreditation system has been established.