One of the vendors that looked like the most fun was Xeko (pronounced zeekoh).

Xeko is

“the two-player trading card game, is designed to inspire the next generation of eco-leaders by connecting kids with nature through an engaging and enriching adventure. The amazing animals of Earth’s hotspots, beginning with Madagascar and Costa Rica, are the stars of the Xeko game. Xeko is sustainably made from recycled materials and soy inks; 4% of net game sales are donated to Conservation International for its programs to help save the earth’s hotspots from destruction.”

The myth of Xeko is a secret ecological knowledge order and seemed popular with the kiddos, there was never an open seat at the demo table! The game is for about 8 and up, and requires no game board, only cards similar structure to the popular Magic the gathering. There are tons of different cards of plants, animals and insects. We’ve all see bee’s, but the Aye-aye and Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur were new to me! The cards have bright pictures and information about the species along with the game points.

The Xeko game “features remarkable plant and animal species from Earth’s biodiversity hotspots first identitfied by Norman Myers and recongnized by Conservation International. Currently numbered at 34, the hotspots contain 75% of the planets most threatened mammals, birds and amphibians while covering just 2.3% of the Earth’s surface. An estimated 50% of all vasular plants and 42% of land vertebrates exist only in these hotspots.”

The goal of gameplay is to build the strongest Xeko-system, and stresses a balance between spending and conserving not found in other games. “A Xeko Master understands that balance is required to support any ecosystem. A balance of spending resources to support diverse - and sometimes endangered - species, as well as conserving resources for the future.” Fostering this understanding of a delicate balance is an intregal, and frequently overlooked, aspect of developing a young mind.

To this end they also provide ways for kids to go green, including the 3 R’s, links to more information on hotspots and more environmental information, and their green star program. The green stars are earned by returning the booster pack wrappers to the company to be recycled.

Matter Group’s, the creators of Xeko, mission is

to foster sustainability by creating and marketing world-class products and media that entertain and inspire people to make a difference. Matter Group’s founders, investors, employees and partners believe that doing well is doing good. The company’s success is measured by our triple-bottom line: profibilty, environmental impact and social contribution.