Guardians of the Grasslands game launches in classrooms in the Maritimes

Based on the award-winning film, the game aims to teach students the ecosystem services provided by raising cattle on grasslands.

Public and Stakeholder Engagement (PSE), a national Check-Off funded program that aims to build public trust in the way beef cattle are raised in Canada, is excited to announce the launch the Guardians of the Grasslands game into classrooms in the Maritime provinces.

The Guardians of the Grasslands Game is based on the award-winning short documentary released in 2019. The game is an online grazing simulation connected to curriculum outcomes for students in grades seven through 12 in subjects such as Science, Social Studies and Global Citizenship.

Participants learn how cattle promote carbon sequestration and provide wildlife habitat through rotational grazing on native grasslands. By moving cattle at the right time, and leaving enough grass behind, players earn carbon points and attract numerous species of wildlife to their land. Other stewardship practices, such as using off-stream watering systems, are also featured along with invasive weeds that must be managed through grazing or avoided for toxicity concerns.

This launch sees the incorporation of wildlife found in the Maritimes into the game, as well as the provision of curriculum outcomes on the www.gotggame.ca  website. Local wildlife species and curriculum alignment are important for adoption of the game in classrooms.

Previously released versions of the game that are available and aligned to curriculum include those for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. A French game will also be available by in the new year.

This project was made possible through the Youth Literacy in Agriculture funding grant provided by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) with the Government of Alberta, as well as financial contributions provided by PSE, the Canadian Cattle Foundation and Ducks Unlimited Canada. In-kind sponsorship of the game was provided by Birds Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Play the Guardians of the Grasslands Game today at www.gotggame.ca.

If you have any questions, please contact Lynsay Beavers at beaversl@cattle.ca.