Charity Game App for Wildlife Conservation
7 April 2015 at 12:25 pm
Melbourne-based wildlife conservation organisation, My Green World, is set to launch a charity-backed mobile game application that will allow users to participate in real-world wildlife conservation and habitat restoration scenarios.
The charity says the aim is to change the way the world connects with wildlife, environmental and animal welfare issues.
The start-up organisation, launched in 2013 by Melbourne- based animal activist, Natalie Kyriacou, has partnered with 16 local and international Not for Profit organisations to launch the game. However, Kyriacou says the funding has mostly come from her own savings, family investment and fundraisers.
“My Green World expects to be a game changer in wildlife conservation and online activism, which will revolutionise the way people connect with environmental and wildlife conservation issues, empowering the global community while simultaneously transforming gaming culture and restoring the natural world,” Kyriacou said.
“Current models of mobile games are focused on destruction and demolition, or otherwise have a strong ‘zoo’ focus, glamourising wildlife in captivity. Users spend hours each day playing games with no actual value, so why not give them a game with charitable and educational values?
“My Green World will educate and mobilise millions of people around the world so that they can make a difference in a fun and interactive way.
“My Green World’s mobile game application will give users the opportunity to learn about endangered, exploited, and abused animals and environments and make donations to affiliated organisations, all while nursing their digital representations back to health in a personalised rehabilitation and environment-building centre.
“Each animal within the mobile application represents a real life charity. Users will also have the option to visit the partner organisation’s websites to learn more about their programs. This game truly is a change to the status quo; utilising online activism to achieve tangible results in conservation.
“My Green World has energetically supported their affiliate charities quest for education and animal welfare, and recently returned from Sri Lanka, where they assisted their partner charity, Dogstar Foundation, in a highly successful rabies vaccination campaign, which treated 5000 street dogs in 20 days.”
The My Green World App is set for launch at the end of May this year. Kyriacou said the app will be free to download and users can make in-App purchases to enhance the game and environmental involvement with the funds coming back to the charity.
She said users can also chose to make donations to the associated charities.
“We have also launched a volunteer medium with our overseas charity partners to allow people to visit and work with the charities on the ground and enhance their conservation activities.”
Natalie Kyriacou described herself as an animal activist and humanitarian, holding a degree in Journalism and a Master of International Relations at the University of Melbourne. She said she has worked as an animal and conservation attendant in Malaysian Borneo and Sri Lanka, and serves as a member of the Animal Ethics Committee at the University of Melbourne.
