The journey of Treehugger began with a question from my son during a walk through a wild wood forest: “How do trees help the Earth?” As we wandered among the towering trees, I realized how complex it was to answer this question. I wanted to teach him about the essential role trees play in our environment, but I also wanted the lesson to be fun, engaging, and collaborative. And, I wanted to learn together. This sparked the idea of a game where we could explore the world from a tree’s perspective, fostering not just awareness, but knowledge and empathy for these silent green giants.

From the Perspective of a Tree

To make the concept more relatable, I decided to create a game that would let players step into the roots of a tree. I envisioned a world where players could experience the challenges and triumphs that trees face, from emergent climate changes to human interventions. Treehugger would allow players to feel what it’s like to grow, thrive, and contribute to the planet. By humanizing the tree’s journey, I hoped to cultivate a sense of empathy, encouraging players to see trees not just as resources, but as vital, living parts of our ecosystem. 

Educational and Environmental Focus

Treehugger is designed to educate players about the intricate relationship between trees and their environment. The game features various cards representing climate events, habitat events, growth opportunities, and human interactions. Each card tells a story of resilience and survival, teaching players how these factors influence a tree’s ability to sequester carbon and sustain life. By engaging with these narratives, players develop a deeper understanding of the challenges trees face, fostering empathy and a greater appreciation for their role in the ecology and how they sequester carbon..

Strategic Gameplay with a Heart

Beyond its educational purpose, Treehugger offers a rich strategic experience. Players must draft cards that help their trees grow and protect them from adverse events. These decisions mirror real-world ecological management, encouraging players to think like environmental stewards. Through this strategic engagement, players learn that every choice has a consequence, echoing the real-world impact of human actions on forests. This reinforces the message that empathy for nature involves thoughtful decision-making, risk and reward taking, and care.

Experiential Learning

What started as a project to teach my son evolved into a mission to educate and inspire others. Treehugger isn’t just a game; it’s a platform to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the importance of forests. By allowing players to see the world through the eyes of a tree, it fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of our interconnected world. It’s about feeling the struggle of growth, the joy of thriving, and the importance of protection—all from a tree’s perspective.

Growing Together with Empathy

Treehugger invites families, educators, and game enthusiasts to cooperatively learn about the environment in a playful and immersive way. It’s more than a game; it’s a call to action to appreciate, protect, and nurture the forests that sustain us. By cultivating empathy for trees, we hope to inspire a generation that sees the value in every leaf, trunk, and root, and is motivated to safeguard the natural world. Through Treehugger, we aim to plant the seeds of environmental consciousness and empathy, one tree at a time.