
All photos courtesy of the author.
All photos courtesy of the author.
What do strategy games, science and the Mississippi River have in common? This spring, they came together in a unique public event that proved you don’t have to wade deep into waters to start caring about fish, or the rivers they call home.
Hosted by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) in East Alton, FinSpan & Freshwaters welcomed families, gamers and curious community members for an afternoon of game play and discovery. At the center of it all was FinSpan, the newest board game by St. Louis Game Company, Stonemaier Games, the creators of the wildly popular bird-themed Wingspan. While the game itself is set in the ocean, the event was an opportunity to bring the conversation inland to our own freshwater ecosystems.
More than 50 guests spent the day at NGRREC’s stunning riverfront field station, greeted by views of the Mississippi River and activities that blended fun with learning. Many attendees discovered NGRREC for the first time, drawn in by the chance to play FinSpan, a beautifully designed board game focused on marine ecosystems.
The gameplay was immersive and engaging, but the event wasn’t just about rolling dice and placing cards. Before attendees claimed their gaming tables, NGRREC staff guided visitors through hands-on activities and displays about the center’s ongoing freshwater research. Participants could get creative with Gyotaku, a traditional Japanese fish printing art, then dive into discussions with researchers about pollutants such as microplastics, PFAS and other emerging freshwater contaminants that impact river health across the Mississippi River Basin.
It turns out that fish are more than just game pieces, they’re indicators of the health of our rivers. While FinSpan centers on marine life, the science shared at the event helped attendees draw connections to the waters in their own backyards. NGRREC’s research focuses on freshwater contaminants. These pollutants don’t just threaten aquatic life but can also ripple out to possibly affect human health, recreation and even drinking water.
These freshwater contaminants include:
Visitors discovered how NGRREC studies modern freshwater contaminants and uses that research to inform conservation strategies across the Mississippi River Basin—empowering land managers, policymakers and educators to better protect these critical freshwater systems.
Though the gameplay and research talks stood on their own, they shared a common current: what begins as simple game play can lead to a deeper understanding, and concern, for the fresh water and the fish in our own backyards.
As players competed to build thriving ecosystems in FinSpan, they were reminded how the health of aquatic life depends on clean and resilient environments. Meanwhile, those who toured the labs or spoke with researchers gained a better understanding of how seemingly invisible threats, like chemicals and microplastics, are silently shaping the future of our rivers and the fish that live in them.
At its heart, FinSpan & Freshwaters was more than just a game day. It was a chance to reach new audiences and inspire curiosity about the natural world. The game brought people through the doors; the river and research invited them to stay and learn.
As the conversation around water quality and aquatic health continues, events like this show how creative outreach can turn passive interest into active care. Whether people came for the cards or the contaminants, they left with a greater appreciation for the delicate balance of life in our rivers.
Because every great river story starts with a ripple—and sometimes, a board game.
Click here to explore NGRREC’s freshwater research or discover how you can get involved in protecting Illinois’ waterways.
Curious about FinSpan? Learn more here.
Jessica Mohlman is the Director of Environmental Education, Wildlife Ecologist at NGRREC. Her research interests lie in creating innovative interdisciplinary ways to address wildlife management and conservation-related concerns. She grew up in northern Illinois and earned her B.S. at Northland College in Ashland, WI and M.S. at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA.
Envíe una pregunta para el autor