GCOOS partner Natures Academy hosted an EPA Gulf of Mexico Program-funded workshop targeting informal and formal educators Feb. 1-2 at their field classroom in Ft. DeSoto State Park, FL. Participants learned how to play and facilitate The Watershed Game, a tool designed to foster collaboration throughout the watershed to manage challenges like excessive nutrients and sediment loads.

The tool was developed by Minnesota Sea Grant agents John Bilotta and Cindy Hagley and includes different versions: one geared toward younger players (the classroom version) and another intended to be used with local leaders and other decision-makers (the leadership version).

Participants in the training were able to play through both versions and learn how to manage game play so they could in-turn facilitate play. A great benefit of the workshop was that those who completed the training now have colleagues throughout the state to co-facilitate watershed game activities.

GCOOS Outreach and Education lead Dr. Chris Simoniello and Mote Marine Laboratory Education Specialist Alison Goldy are already planning to collaborate and use the game during the 2019 Florida Marine Science Education Association annual meeting.

For more information about Nature’s Academy, contact Dana Pounds, Executive Director, at dana@naturesacademy.org. For more information about The Watershed Game, contact Cindy Hagley at chagley@d.umn.edu.