Upcoming Events
Course Introduction by Angela Young
What to expect in the BEST year of a lifetime
Evening lectures are held at St. Stithians College in Sandton. Weekend &
day practicals are held at a variety of bushveld venues. Training starts on
Saturday morning unless otherwise specified – check module information
The BEST Nature Course NQF2 2022 consists of all modules.
More Info:
https://bushveldtraining.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-BEST_Nature_Course_Calendar.pdf
Grasses & Trees – Practical by BEST Team
Botany concepts, basic ID tools & skills
Sediba overview – geology, ecology, plants & animals
Sediba Game Farm, North-West Province
More Info:
https://bushveldtraining.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-BEST_Nature_Course_Calendar.pdf
Grasses & Ecology – Practical by Frits van
Oudtshoorn
The importance of grasses and their links to animals,
soils, vegetation units and animal habitats
Sediba Game Farm, North-West Province
More Info:
https://bushveldtraining.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-BEST_Nature_Course_Calendar.pdf
BEST Nature Courses
"Learn new things, explore new places, meet new people"
For all our courses, training is part-time and is a combination of evening lectures and practical weekends or day trips at a variety of venues. Lectures are presented by well-known experts, specialists in their own field. The highlight of the courses are the weekend practicals and day excursions, also presented by the subject experts.
Each practical weekend concentrates on a particular subject, with field exercises which are designed to enhance students’ identification and interpretation skills. Weekend field trips take place at a variety of venues with diverse habitats, geology, flora and fauna. This not only allows for a change of scenery but also enhances your diversity of knowledge.
Putting theory into practice is what our courses are all about. The secret to our success is the quality of the subject experts who present each module. The combination of up-to-date knowledge and extensive practical experience which they impart during training ensures that you gain a proper understanding of all the elements of an environment and their interrelationship.
The experts are handpicked for their ability to communicate and their willingness to share their knowledge in a professional and relaxed manner. The BEST team guide and mentor you throughout, ensuring that you have a fun-filled year of a lifetime!
BEST Nature Course NQF2
Start date: 31st January 2022
- The year-long BEST Nature Course is divided into two major components, Earth & Plants and Animals. During the first part of the course, from February to mid-May, we concentrate on Earth & Plants, from the foundation of life on Earth, astronomy, weather, geology to grasses, trees & wildflowers.
- The Earth & Plant modules form the basis of all life on Earth and are essential to understanding ecosystems and their animal populations. Knowing an animal’s preferred habitat and food source is essential to understanding the animal better.
- The Animal component, from May to November, logically follows on from and builds upon the Earth & Plant modules. Ecology is emphasized throughout the course and provides the common thread which links the abiotic elements and the flora and fauna of an ecosystem together.
- Guiding principles are followed during field exercises and bush walks. Students practice their guiding skills on bush walks over the weekends.
- As much as we love being in the bush, unfortunately real-life sometimes intrudes, interfering with the course. Whatever modules are missed in the first year can be completed in the second year at no extra cost.
- At the end of the course, you can achieve your FGASA NQF2 Apprentice Field Guide qualification, which is recognised by Cathsseta and the Department of Tourism. During the course you will complete tests, projects, workbook review sessions and practical exercises, culminating in the FGASA theory and practical assessments at the end of the year. Thereafter you just need practical experience to continue your journey…
BEST Nature Enthusiast’s Course
Start date: 31st January 2022
- This course is ideal for those interested in broadening their knowledge and understanding of nature, but who don’t want to achieve the NQF2 qualification.
- The course follows the same format as the BEST Nature Course NQF2 (see above for details), with the exclusion of the FGASA review sessions and the FGASA assessments at the end of the year, as well as the requirement to do tests and projects during the year.
- You will still benefit from in-depth practical training from our subject experts and will gain a true understanding of our wonderful natural heritage
- If you wish, you can write the FGASA Natures Enthusiasts’ exam at the end of the year, which can be converted to an NQF2 qualification at a later stage.
Distance Learning
Start date: 31st January 2022
- Those who don’t live in and around Johannesburg or have limited free time but still want to benefit from the BEST nature courses, a combination of on-line lectures and practical weekends is available.
- For all our courses the in-person evening lectures can be followed simultaneously online. You then attend our weekend practicals as per the calendar, all of which venues are easily accessible from Gauteng, North-west and Limpopo provinces.
- Following this format, the relevant qualifications will be applicable on completion of the required assessments, such as the FGASA NQF2 Apprentice Field Guide qualification and the FGASA Natures Enthusiasts’ certificate.
Modules
Start date: 31st January 2022
The year-long BEST Nature Course (NQF2)/Nature Enthusiast’s Course can be done in modules;
however,
the greatest benefit will be gained by enrolling for the full course as the modules build on each other.
Full Plants’ Module
Full Plants’ Module
Grasses & Veld Management
*Frits van Oudtshoorn
Trees
*Andrew Hankey
Mammals & Signs of the Veld
Animal Behaviour & Tracks
*Bennet de Klerk
Mammals & Carnivores
*Hanneline Smit-Robinson
Herbivores
*Adrian Schrader
Signs of the Veld
*Glenn Burton-Durham
Earth Module
Astronomy
*Mike Young
Weather & Climate
*Leeann Simpson
Geology & Palaeontology
*Pat McGee, *Adam Bumby
Reptiles & Amphibians
Reptiles
*Mike Adams
Amphibians
*Jeanne Tarrant
Bushveld Ecology
*Sam Ferreira
Birds
*Lance Robinson
Arthropods
Spiders & Scorpions
*Ian Engelbrecht
Insects
*Dewald Kleynhans
Full Ecology & Animal Modules
Full Animal Modules
Specialist Courses
After finishing their 1st year, our students want to carry on learning and remain part of the BEST family.
We offer short courses on specific subjects which contribute to your on-going training, and which build on the knowledge required for further qualifications such as NQF4 Field Guide and Trails Guide
Wildflowers
Tracking & Signs of the Veld
Birds – LBJs, Raptors, Calls
Bushveld Experience Pilanesberg
Snake Handling
Focus on Acacias
Upcoming Events
Course Introduction by Angela Young
What to expect in the BEST year of a lifetime
Evening lectures are held at St. Stithians College in Sandton. Weekend &
day practicals are held at a variety of bushveld venues. Training starts on
Saturday morning unless otherwise specified – check module information
The BEST Nature Course NQF2 2022 consists of all modules.
More Info:
https://bushveldtraining.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-BEST_Nature_Course_Calendar.pdf
Grasses & Trees – Practical by BEST Team
Botany concepts, basic ID tools & skills
Sediba overview – geology, ecology, plants & animals
Sediba Game Farm, North-West Province
More Info:
https://bushveldtraining.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-BEST_Nature_Course_Calendar.pdf
Grasses & Ecology – Practical by Frits van
Oudtshoorn
The importance of grasses and their links to animals,
soils, vegetation units and animal habitats
Sediba Game Farm, North-West Province
More Info:
https://bushveldtraining.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-BEST_Nature_Course_Calendar.pdf
