The Brief
In groups, students develop and refine a Design for Conservation (D4C) concept and address feedback from external guests and peers. Plan for impact and sustainable deployment, and then submit the second iteration of their D4C project.
The Solution
Problem Description:
Invasive Caulerpa, known as the 'killer algae', poses a significant threat to New Zealand's marine life. First detected in 2021, it has since spread to several islands along the east coast, approaching the port of Auckland. Caulerpa grows rapidly, suffocating marine life and threatening native biodiversity, fishing industries, and the Kiwi way of life. Without intervention, it could cause substantial economic losses and irreversible environmental damage.
Proposed Solution:
Our proposed solution is a board game designed to raise awareness about Caulerpa and empower individuals to take action against its spread. Aimed at people of all ages, mainly families, the game educates players about the importance of preserving coastal ecosystems and teaches strategies to mitigate Caulerpa's impact.
Target Audience:
The game is aimed at people who live in coastal communities, families, and tourists visiting affected areas. By engaging these groups, we aim to foster a sense of responsibility and inspire collective action in combatting Caulerpa.
Main Stakeholders:
The main stakeholders of our game are coastal communities, who stand to benefit from increased awareness and community involvement in Caulerpa mitigation efforts. Families will also benefit from intergenerational learning opportunities, fostering environmental stewardship within households.
How it Works:
Players move through the game board, encountering challenges related to Caulerpa spread and mitigation. By making strategic decisions and learning about Caulerpa's impact, players gain a deeper understanding of the issue and the importance of conservation efforts. The game serves as a tool for raising awareness, promoting conservation practices, and empowering individuals to play an active role in Caulerpa management. Our board game offers a fun and interactive way to educate and inspire action against the spread of invasive Caulerpa. By uniting communities, families, and tourists in this important cause, we can work together to safeguard our coastal ecosystems for future generations.
The Details
This board game and all related content was developed using third party research without communication between Live Ocean and other related organisations. I was the project manager for this assignment and all work has been used with permission of fellow group members.
This project was created over 6 weeks as a University of Auckland project.
