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Maintain and improve game and wildlife habitat

URN: LANGa10
Business Sectors (Suites): Game and Wildlife Management
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 30 Mar 2022

Overview

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This standard is about maintaining and improving game and wildlife habitat to support game populations.

This standard is for those who work in game conservation and be applied to any wildlife management area.

To meet this standard you will be able to:
• manage plant growth and development
• improve habitat landforms.

When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment, and work towards preserving and improving habitat and biodiversity, and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

When working with machinery or chemicals you need to be appropriately trained and hold the relevant certification where required, in line with the relevant legislation.

For you to fully understand the content of the standard, and the activities it describes, it is important that you are able to understand the terms used within the standard. See the Glossary for some definitions that should help you with this.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. carry out the activity safely, in line with the relevant health and safety requirements
  2. select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity 
  3. identify when game and wildlife habitat requires management intervention
  4. prepare the required tools, equipment and resources to a safe condition, ready for use
  5. maintain and improve vegetation within the game and wildlife habitat using working practices recommended by your organisation
  6. complete work in a manner that causes minimal disturbance to the environment
  7. deal with any difficulties experienced during maintenance that fall within your level of responsibility
  8. maintain tools and equipment in a serviceable condition throughout the process
  9. dispose of waste according to legal requirements and those of the organisation that you work for
  10. maintain records according to the requirements of the organisation that you work for and the relevant legal requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. the relevant health and safety requirements associated with habitat management, including the implications associated with lone working
  2. the selection, use and care of personal protective equipment
  3. why vegetation is managed
  4. the methods used to maintain and improve vegetation within a game and wildlife habitat
  5. the common causes of habitat damage
  6. the importance of habitat and habitat management
  7. how to safely prepare, use and maintain the tools and equipment required to carry out habitat management
  8. the actions that can be taken to preserve and improve habitat and biodiversity and respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
  9. the role of canopy and fringe vegetation in maintaining game
  10. the relevant legal restrictions on management activities including those associated with legally designated sites including, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
  11. where chemicals can be used to manage vegetation and the legislation that applies to these
  12. the biological, physical and chemical characteristics of habitats
  13. why it is important to minimise environmental impact during maintenance activities
  14. the relevant legal requirements and those of your organisation that control the disposal of waste
  15. the legal and organisation requirements for the completion of records 

Scope/range

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Improve landforms to support the development of at least one of the following habitat types:
• wetland
• upland/grouse
• lowland

Manage vegetation by:
• cutting
• encouraging natural regeneration
• planting

Use the following types of tools:
• hand tools and equipment
• power tools and equipment

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Management intervention – Actions taken to improve or maintain the condition of the habitat

Canopy – An area covered by tree or shrub canopies

Environmental risk – The likelihood of damage being caused to the natural environment

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

30 Mar 2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANGa10

Relevant Occupations

Estate Worker, Gamekeeper

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

habitat; maintain; manage; wildlife; game