Moncton environmental group turning Pokemon Go into awareness campaign

The Moncton-based environmental group Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance (PWA) is using the increasingly popular Pokemon Go game to teach people about habitat conservation for species at risk along the Petitcodiac River.

“We thought, what better way to teach people about species at risk as to tie those two brands together — the PWA as well as Pokiemon Go — and get out on the street to inform people” said PWA member Andrew Downey.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We thought, what better way to teach people about species at risk as to tie those two brands together — the PWA as well as Pokiemon Go — and get out on the street to inform people" said PWA member Andrew Downey.

READ MORE: 29% of Canadian Pokemon Go players say the game is taking over their lives: Ipsos poll

Downey said last week, summer students started handing out Pokemon-style cards in areas where gamers have been gathering to search for Pokemon as part of the virtual game.

Each card highlights facts about various species at risk in the region, such as the North American wood turtle, barn swallow and the inner bay Atlantic salmon. They also suggest ways people can help conserve the habitat along the river.

Summer student and avid Pokemon Go player Holly MacDonald came up with the idea.

“I am hoping people will react interested because it’s like real life Pokemon, and also kind of get them more interested in wildlife and stability,” MacDonald said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I am hoping people will react interested because it's like real life Pokemon, and also kind of get them more interested in wildlife and stability," MacDonald said.

Gamer Andre Couture thinks it’s a great way to reach out to a large group of people who are already gathering along the river to play the game.

“The whole point of the game was to get people out and enjoy the environment to begin with, so it’s really nice to see other people from different communities combining together for stuff like this,” Couture said.

Downey says, so far, students have handed out about 50 cards and will continue the awareness campaign a few times a week for the next month.

The Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance is a non-profit environmental science and education organization working to enhance the Petitcodiac watershed.