Science, Technology and Engineering

School of Life Sciences

Department of Environmental Management & Ecology

The Alpine Ecology Course

The Alpine Ecology Course was conceived as a means of improving the ecological knowledge of people with responsibility for managing alpine land. Since its inception in 1989, more than 950 people have completed the courses. They include national park rangers, alpine resort staff, university teachers and researchers, environmental staff from local, state and commonwealth government departments and agencies, and members of the public interested in conservation of the alps.

The course teaches the principles and techniques of alpine ecology as practised in various disciplines: earth and soil sciences, botany and plant ecology, vertebrate & invertebrate ecology (terrestrial & aquatic). Much of the 5-6 day course is in the field, with an emphasis on practical demonstration and field experience for all participants. Individual field projects involve participants learning how to collect and interpret field data.

The Alpine Ecology Course is conducted most summers at Falls Creek and on the Bogong High Plains. In some summers, a practical Alpine Rehabilitation Course is scheduled. The next course is planned for February 2013.

For more information email: alpine.ecology@latrobe.edu.au