IFLA APR has shared an upcoming professional certification opportunity offered by the IUCN Academy that may be of interest to some members. IFLA World is a member of IUCN so NZILA members (as a member association of IFLA-APR) are eligible for a 50% discount on the non profit rate for this course. Select IUCN Member when registering. 

Course Overview
Course: Professional Certificate on Nature for Cities
Start Date: 27 August 2026
Duration: 5 weeks
Format: Online (self-paced modules + live sessions)
Language: English

This course combines conceptual guidance with practical tools, case studies, and group work, allowing participants to apply their learning to a city or region of their choice.

About the Course
The programme introduces participants to the Urban Nature Indexes (UNI) — a system developed by IUCN to help cities systematically measure, monitor, and integrate nature into urban planning and decision-making.

Through this framework, participants will learn how to:

• Assess the presence, quality, and accessibility of urban nature
• Identify gaps and opportunities in nature-based strategies
• Align local plans with global frameworks (e.g. Global Biodiversity Framework, SDGs, climate goals)
• Improve consistency and comparability of urban nature data across regions

The course is designed for professionals across sectors who wish to better understand the relationship between cities and nature, and apply science-based approaches to urban challenges.

Why Join
Participants will gain:

• Practical tools to assess and plan urban conservation initiatives
• Exposure to global frameworks and real-world applications
• Hands-on experience through assignments and case studies
• Insights into integrating biodiversity into urban development

The course includes weekly live sessions (2 hours) alongside self-paced learning (3–4 hours per week).

See the flyer and also more details doc. 

Course Page: https://iucn.org/events/coursetraining/professional-certificate-nature-cities-27-august-2026

For any questions regarding eligibility or registration, participants may contact the IUCN Academy directly at: academy@iucn.org (please indicate affiliation with IFLA).