Nature Matters Board Game

SOMERSET WILDLIFE TRUST

Created for Somerset Wildlife Trust as part of their Wilder Communities 30x30 Project, made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This illustrated, interactive board game and its accompanying resources are designed to ignite meaningful conversations about the importance of nature and conservation. Centered around the concept of the Nature Recovery Network, the game explores ways we can actively contribute to a thriving natural world.

The game is tailored for Somerset Wildlife Trust events, as well as schools, community groups, youth groups, and environmental organizations. Alongside the game, a facilitation pack provides a teaching guide, interactive boards to capture participants’ thoughts and ideas, and further activities like an illustrated Nature ID Sheet.

As an engaging educational tool, the game introduces players to Somerset’s rich and varied habitats, including Woodlands, Grasslands, Wetlands and Estuaries, and illustrates how human actions—both positive and negative—affect these ecosystems.

Game Cards

Along the way, players collect both Change Cards and Connecting Habitats Cards.

Change Cards show positive and negative, human and environmental impacts, affecting the characters in various ways. Connecting Habitats Cards show the four main habitats found in Somerset; Woodlands, Grasslands, Wetlands and Estuaries with key information about the landscapes and tips on what to look out for.

Connecting Habitats Card
Wetland Habitat

Change Card
Someone has left the nuts and berries to ripen on their hedge . . .

A community has created a new nature reserve . . .

Someone has let their dog off the lead in a nature reserve .

Someone has encouraged their neighbour to garden for wildlife .

A new road has been built across an area of important habitat.

Sewage has been released into the river causing pollution .

From initial concept to final design . . .

Wildlife ID Sheet

“Rachel has been fantastic in supporting us through the design and delivery of our project and bringing a fledgling idea to fruition. Her beautiful whimsical, wildlife-centric style was exactly what we needed to create an immersive and engaging product for families.”

– Bryony Slaymaker, Somerset Wildlife Trust