The Basin Challenge Game

thebasinchallenge.com

Dr. Nathanial Matthews

• Not a model, but a game • Single player or two player (teams), available free

online • Development decisions players make are based on

authentic situations and environmental and soci-economic data.• There are timeframe, budgetary, and climatic

constraints, and trade-offs must be decided (economics, social, environment)

Overview of Basin Challenge Game

• Simulates development of a river basin over the course of 50 years and allows players to see impacts of decisions instantly

• Players must consider population growth, happiness, ecosystem health, tourism, income and water, food and energy.

Overview of Basin Challenge Game

• A useful pedagogical tool to educate nexus decisions and help players to visualize and understand the complexities of river basin development.• Encourages discussions surrounding trade-offs

within the Nexus to improve decision-making through learning-by-doing.• Brings groups together and encourages reflection

about winners and losers and which voices are heard and unheard.

Benefits of the Basin Challenge Game

Thank you