Organization Mission

Mission Statement

Chipco Preserve is committed to protecting fragile ecosystems, advancing sustainable agriculture, and empowering Indigenous and Veteran communities through education, advocacy, and stewardship. We honor cultural heritage, foster resilience, and build connections between people and the natural world to ensure a healthier future for all.

Objectives

Uplift Indigenous Voices: Partner with Indigenous leaders to preserve cultural knowledge, promote sovereignty, and share traditional ecological practices.

Support Veterans: Provide opportunities for Veterans to engage in land-based healing, conservation, and community leadership roles.

Protect and Restore Ecosystems: Safeguard native habitats and species, restore degraded landscapes, and model regenerative farming practices that integrate food production with biodiversity.

Educate and Inspire: Offer programs, workshops, and public engagement that connect communities with conservation, cultural heritage, and sustainable living.

Foster Community Engagement: Involve schools, families, and volunteers in hands-on stewardship projects that cultivate responsibility and awareness.

Ensure Organizational Sustainability: Strengthen long-term impact through transparent reporting, strategic partnerships, and diversified funding.

Context

Chipco Preserve’s mission is to protect natural resources, promote sustainable agriculture, and uplift Indigenous communities through culturally grounded conservation initiatives. A computer-based conservation game directly advances these objectives by creating an accessible, engaging educational tool that increases public understanding of wildlife, ecosystems, and Indigenous ecological principles.

The game will be used in:

Environmental education workshops,
Community outreach,
Chipco’s growing online presence (Twitch, YouTube, social media), and
Public conservation awareness campaigns.

By transforming complex ecological issues, such as habitat loss, wildlife corridors, climate pressures, keystone species, and reciprocity with land, into an interactive experience, the game helps Chipco reach audiences and global communities who may not encounter these topics otherwise. The final product will expand Chipco’s educational footprint, strengthen engagement, and support long-term conservation literacy.

Key Responsibilities

The volunteer will design and develop a computer-based conservation game from concept to playable prototype. This includes creating the game’s structure, mechanics, visual layout, and educational elements. Chipco will provide ecological content and guidance throughout the project.

The volunteer will be asked to:

1. Develop core gameplay mechanics appropriate for a conservation-themed digital game (e.g., ecosystem management, species survival, resource strategy).

2. Design the user interface and basic visual elements using either original art or open-source assets.

3. Build the game using a preferred engine such as Unity, Godot, Python/Pygame, or another mutually agreed-upon platform.

4. Integrate educational content supplied by Chipco Preserve (species facts, ecological principles, Indigenous-informed stewardship concepts).

5. Create a playable prototype that demonstrates the main game loop, scoring or progression system, and user interactions.

6. Document the game by providing a brief instruction guide, source files, and notes for future updates.

7. Communicate progress regularly with Chipco staff to gather feedback and refine.

Daily/Weekly Logistics

1. The volunteer will work independently, setting their own daily schedule.

2. Communication will occur via email, with optional virtual meetings (Zoom/Teams) if needed for clarification or feedback.

3. The volunteer will provide weekly status updates, including:

A. What was completed,

B. Any challenges or questions,

C. and next steps for the following week.

If multiple online volunteers participate, the primary developer will collaborate through shared documents (Google Drive or similar) and brief coordination emails.

There are no fixed meeting times, and the volunteer may work at any time zone.

Chipco staff are available for consultation throughout the project and will review iterative builds or prototypes.

Timeline Expectations

The volunteer can begin immediately upon onboarding.

Expected duration: maximum 12 weeks, depending on the game’s complexity and volunteer availability.

Deliverables may be submitted in stages (concept → prototype → final version).

Required Skills and Experience

Game development experience (Unity, Godot, Python/Pygame, or a comparable platform)
Basic art or UI/UX ability
Interest in conservation or environmental issues
Strong communication and ability to work independently