The outdoors inside: Friends of the St. Clair River hosts nature-themed game night series

The Friends of the St. Clair River is offering a new way to learn about the world around us with the introduction of a new event series.

The nonprofit, whose mission focuses on environmental stewardship, is hosting Wild Green Winter Game Nights, a series of events featuring nature-themed tabletop board games to promote learning about the ecosystem.

“We’re able to encourage people who perhaps are more nature-oriented but don’t like getting their hands dirty or game people who enjoy the strategies of gaming but can also appreciate the nature side of it, so it’s really outreaching to a few different communities,” says Lydia Nicholas, Environmental Field Technician with Friends of the St. Clair River. 

The next events are on Friday, Feb. 25, and March 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Border Keep Games, located at 924 Military St. in downtown Port Huron. 

A selection of games will be available including strategy games such as Evolution: Climate, educational explorer games such as Trails: A Parks Game, or Flip Over Frog, which is easily teachable and a great option for children ages 6+ as well as adults.

“We’ve got gamers that care about nature too, especially the younger people that had never heard of the Friends of the St. Clair River, and it broadens for both of us,” says Derek Helsom, co-owner of Border Keep Games.

A suggested $5 cover donation includes a drink voucher at the event and will also benefit Friends of the St. Clair River to support future programming such as the Blue Water Sturgeon Festival, Forest Fridays, or lakefront restoration work. 

“We had a good turnout at our first event and it was really just a great time for fellowship and stewardship around the game table instead of out in the field,” Lydia says. 

To learn more about the Friends of the St. Clair River and its programming or to see upcoming events, visit scriver.org.