Conservation board game reinvented by local earth-carer

A new board game which is being brought back to life after 45 years had a kickstart launch on Saturday, May 8, at Kariong on the birthday of the original game inventor, Bob Reynolds.

The EARTHCARE game is a reinvention of a 1976 board game called CONSERVATION, which was invented by Reynolds, and has been reimagined by Coast local Lisa Wriley.

The various components of the game are being carefully manufactured by several Central Coast businesses and groups.

“It has been my dream to re-invent the CONSERVATION game I played as a child,” Wriley said.

“Now thanks to Bob giving me the rights to the game and having a break from my normal job, with help from friends and family, I am close to bringing the EARTHCARE game to reality.

“There has been a team of wonderful people making clay player pieces at Centered Ceramics in Umina.

“Another local business Hi-Tech Electrical, has laser-cut aluminium pieces from scraps, and glass offcuts are collected from Central Coast stained glass business Indigo Glass.

“The metal and glass pieces are tumbled like gem stones to make them smooth to handle.

“The original glass pieces were my favourite part of the original game.”

“When completed, the EARTHCARE game will be a fun way for 6-106 year olds to explore the many ways we can care for the earth, connect with nature and help conserve the planet’s resources.

“Take small steps to save the planet and earn points; make a mess, waste energy or water and lose points.”

At the launch event several people played the preview version of the game.

With 50 per cent of profits going to conservation projects, the game should be available soon and interested people can contact Wriley on the earthcaregame.org website or back the project on the kickstarter website until June 5.

The first 100 games will have limited hand-crafted pieces.

Source:
Media release, May 10
Julian Bowker, EARTHCARE Game Coach