There are a few choices for getting decks. First, you can make your own by going to the card section, selecting cards you want (tick the “select” boxes), grouping your selected cards (by clicking the “selected cards” link), and then hitting the “print” button (the website will reformat and print cards that are currently on the screen – scroll through your selected cards by clicking the “next” button and keep printing each page, with 6 cards at a time, until you are finished).
Alternatively, you can also print a pre-sorted deck, which will be added to the Deck List below as time progresses. For beginners, we recommend using our Beaty Biodiversity Museum Starter deck (18Mb pdf), since it should have a good assortment of different kinds of cards necessary for play.
* Wildlife Conservation Nepal Starter Deck
(NEW) 2021 – (Cards | Download game and rules | Purchase)… This deck, hosted by Wildlife Conservation Nepal, is a STARTER deck that highlights Nepalese biodiversity. This deck is a stand alone game. Learn more about Wildlife Conservation Nepal by visiting www.wcn.org.np.
(NEW) 2021 – (Cards | Download game and rules | Purchase)… This deck, hosted by Wildlife Conservation Nepal, is a STARTER deck that highlights Nepalese biodiversity. This deck is a stand alone game. Learn more about Wildlife Conservation Nepal by visiting www.wcn.org.np.
*(Gender Inequity) Women in Health Research
(NEW) 2020 – (Sample Cards | Download game and rules* | Purchase)… This deck, hosted by the Michael Smith Laboratories, is a STARTER deck for a hand building game that looks at the challenges in gender inequity from a health perspective. This includes topics that look at societal elements as well as those with a medical angle. This deck is a stand alone game, and was designed to showcase a more authentic and therefore more thought provoking take at diversity issues. *Note that the game is played in similar fashion to the Phylo GSA deck and the Phylo WWEST WISE deck (see game play here), except that there is an addition of a mechanic that divides negative cards from positive cards (see downloadable rules above for more details).
(NEW) 2020 – (Sample Cards | Download game and rules* | Purchase)… This deck, hosted by the Michael Smith Laboratories, is a STARTER deck for a hand building game that looks at the challenges in gender inequity from a health perspective. This includes topics that look at societal elements as well as those with a medical angle. This deck is a stand alone game, and was designed to showcase a more authentic and therefore more thought provoking take at diversity issues. *Note that the game is played in similar fashion to the Phylo GSA deck and the Phylo WWEST WISE deck (see game play here), except that there is an addition of a mechanic that divides negative cards from positive cards (see downloadable rules above for more details).
*Prototype DIY Classroom Deck (UHill Elementary)
2014 – (See Sample Cards/Deck Info | Download - card backs | Purchase)… This deck represents an example of a classroom deck (in this case, a class of Grade 1 students), that uses the information found in the Make section of the projects website. This particular DIY deck was also worked on, so that high quality purchasable decks were made available to the parents and children. Credits go to the teacher (Kate Foreman), the school (U Hill Elementary, Vancouver), and the hard work done by all the kids in her class! You can see some of their "event cards" below.
2014 – (See Sample Cards/Deck Info | Download - card backs | Purchase)… This deck represents an example of a classroom deck (in this case, a class of Grade 1 students), that uses the information found in the Make section of the projects website. This particular DIY deck was also worked on, so that high quality purchasable decks were made available to the parents and children. Credits go to the teacher (Kate Foreman), the school (U Hill Elementary, Vancouver), and the hard work done by all the kids in her class! You can see some of their "event cards" below.
AMNH Pterosaur Starter Deck
2014 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... This deck uses images and information from the vast collections of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, especially the 2014 special exhibition Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs. The game consists of 38 different cards, includes "extinct" organisms, and utilizes a simplified version of the game to compensate for unavailable facts.
2014 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... This deck uses images and information from the vast collections of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, especially the 2014 special exhibition Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs. The game consists of 38 different cards, includes "extinct" organisms, and utilizes a simplified version of the game to compensate for unavailable facts.
BC Bryophyte Expansion Deck
2015 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... This set was designed by Jennifer Deol to highlight a selection of the plethora of bryophyte species found in British Columbia, Canada. It was done as an assignment for Dr. Shona Ellis’ course on bryophyte biology (BIOL 321 University of British Columbia). BC Bryophytes Expansion Pack uses images and photos produced by Jennifer Deol, Diana W. and Shona Ellis. This include three cards with scanning electron microscopy images of selected mosses. This is an expansion deck and cannot be played on its own.
2015 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... This set was designed by Jennifer Deol to highlight a selection of the plethora of bryophyte species found in British Columbia, Canada. It was done as an assignment for Dr. Shona Ellis’ course on bryophyte biology (BIOL 321 University of British Columbia). BC Bryophytes Expansion Pack uses images and photos produced by Jennifer Deol, Diana W. and Shona Ellis. This include three cards with scanning electron microscopy images of selected mosses. This is an expansion deck and cannot be played on its own.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum Starter Deck
2012 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... This deck includes a variety of organisms that are locally relevant to habitats in British Columbia, as well as species found in the museum's exhibition space. The game consists of 30 different cards, encompassing a variety of organism and events.
2012 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... This deck includes a variety of organisms that are locally relevant to habitats in British Columbia, as well as species found in the museum's exhibition space. The game consists of 30 different cards, encompassing a variety of organism and events.
Boreal Biome Deck (in progress)
2017 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Purchase)... This set was designed by Jonathan DeMoor and Elly Knight to highlight boreal forest ecosystems. The boreal biome encircles the northern pole of the planet north of the 50th parallel and is found in Canada, Russia, and the Nordic countries. Note that the purchasable and downloadable versions focus on three different terrain designations (Upland, Lowland, and Anthropogenic) and are not compatible with other Phylo decks.
2017 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Purchase)... This set was designed by Jonathan DeMoor and Elly Knight to highlight boreal forest ecosystems. The boreal biome encircles the northern pole of the planet north of the 50th parallel and is found in Canada, Russia, and the Nordic countries. Note that the purchasable and downloadable versions focus on three different terrain designations (Upland, Lowland, and Anthropogenic) and are not compatible with other Phylo decks.
Dinosaurs Unearthed Jurassic Deck
2017 - (See Cards/Deck Info | Download cards and rules | Purchase)... This deck uses images and information from media provided by Dinosaurs Unearthed, a company which creates life like animatronic dinosaurs for museum and science learning facilities. The game consists of a 54 card deck with 29 different cards from the Jurassic Period, includes "extinct" organisms, and utilizes a simplified version of the game to compensate for unavailable facts.
2017 - (See Cards/Deck Info | Download cards and rules | Purchase)... This deck uses images and information from media provided by Dinosaurs Unearthed, a company which creates life like animatronic dinosaurs for museum and science learning facilities. The game consists of a 54 card deck with 29 different cards from the Jurassic Period, includes "extinct" organisms, and utilizes a simplified version of the game to compensate for unavailable facts.
Filogenios En Colombia
2020 - (Sample Cards | Download game and rules | Purchase)... This deck includes a variety of organisms that are locally relevant to habitats in Colombia, South America. The game consists of 81 different cards, encompassing a variety of organisms and events. This is the first Spanish language deck!
2020 - (Sample Cards | Download game and rules | Purchase)... This deck includes a variety of organisms that are locally relevant to habitats in Colombia, South America. The game consists of 81 different cards, encompassing a variety of organisms and events. This is the first Spanish language deck!
Genetics Society of America Deck
2016 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download Game | Download Rules | Purchase)... This is a different set of game rules that incorporates a few special species cards (model organisms) and reworks them for use in a game that looks at the process of genetic research specifically, and process of science generally. Please feel free to download the cards and rules, and do leave comments using the "permalink" for specific cards. This is in collaboration with the Genetics Society of America, and the final deck was released during mid 2016. For more information, please see this link.
2016 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download Game | Download Rules | Purchase)... This is a different set of game rules that incorporates a few special species cards (model organisms) and reworks them for use in a game that looks at the process of genetic research specifically, and process of science generally. Please feel free to download the cards and rules, and do leave comments using the "permalink" for specific cards. This is in collaboration with the Genetics Society of America, and the final deck was released during mid 2016. For more information, please see this link.
Ingenium Women in Science and Engineering deck
2020 – (Sample Cards | Download English, French game | How To Play | Purchase English, French game)... This is in collaboration with Ingenium, and focuses on awesome Canadian women in STEM, as well as issues pertaining to the challenges around gender equity. This deck uses the hand building game mechanic (as seen in the WWEST WISE Deck). Please feel free to download the cards and rules. Note that there is also a French version of the game as well (for download and for purchase).
2020 – (Sample Cards | Download English, French game | How To Play | Purchase English, French game)... This is in collaboration with Ingenium, and focuses on awesome Canadian women in STEM, as well as issues pertaining to the challenges around gender equity. This deck uses the hand building game mechanic (as seen in the WWEST WISE Deck). Please feel free to download the cards and rules. Note that there is also a French version of the game as well (for download and for purchase).
Invasive Species Centre Deck
2020 - (Sample Cards | Download game and rules | How to play video)... Invasive species are among Canada’s greatest threats to the survival of our wild animal and plant life. This deck was created by the Invasive Species Centre to highlight the impacts of invasive species to Canadian ecosystems. The deck includes a variety of Canadian species as well as invasive forest pest and pathogen event cards. Learn more about invasive species by visiting www.invasivespeciescentre.ca. Note that this group produced a pdf of printable cards that are larger format than the usual seen in other decks.
2020 - (Sample Cards | Download game and rules | How to play video)... Invasive species are among Canada’s greatest threats to the survival of our wild animal and plant life. This deck was created by the Invasive Species Centre to highlight the impacts of invasive species to Canadian ecosystems. The deck includes a variety of Canadian species as well as invasive forest pest and pathogen event cards. Learn more about invasive species by visiting www.invasivespeciescentre.ca. Note that this group produced a pdf of printable cards that are larger format than the usual seen in other decks.
London Natural History Museum Scavenger Hunt Deck
2011 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download)… The Natural History Museum, London Deck contains SPECIES cards of organisms that can be found on display at the museum. Note that this also includes some organisms represented as art (such as those on the ceiling of the Central Hall), as well as live specimens found in the garden. There is also one card that can only be found at NHM’s sister museum, the Natural History Museum at Tring. Also included in the deck are some EVENT cards that are depicted in their exhibits. These cards were highlighted in the Museum's magazine (Second Nature - see article)
2011 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download)… The Natural History Museum, London Deck contains SPECIES cards of organisms that can be found on display at the museum. Note that this also includes some organisms represented as art (such as those on the ceiling of the Central Hall), as well as live specimens found in the garden. There is also one card that can only be found at NHM’s sister museum, the Natural History Museum at Tring. Also included in the deck are some EVENT cards that are depicted in their exhibits. These cards were highlighted in the Museum's magazine (Second Nature - see article)
Microbe Collection
Ongoing - (See Cards)... This set simply aims to collect "microorganisms" as loosely as defined as those species that are multicellular, singled cell or smaller (essentially SCALE value of 3 or less). Given the incredible diversity and abundance of species in this category, the Phylo project is hopeful that this collection will grow to represent this important part of biodiversity.
Ongoing - (See Cards)... This set simply aims to collect "microorganisms" as loosely as defined as those species that are multicellular, singled cell or smaller (essentially SCALE value of 3 or less). Given the incredible diversity and abundance of species in this category, the Phylo project is hopeful that this collection will grow to represent this important part of biodiversity.
Muse (MuseMON) Magazine Deck
2013 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download)… This deck was created in collaboration with MUSE magazine. In the March 2013 issue, the magazine wrote a piece about the Phylo project and made a call for submissions to their readers to create deck artwork. Entries were moderated, researched, and then used to create the MUSEMON deck. This was released in two installments in two separate magazine issues (Nov/Dec 2013 and Jan 2014 MUSE magazine issues). Except for the EVENT cards (which highlight the various MUSE characters), all art was created by young readers!
2013 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download)… This deck was created in collaboration with MUSE magazine. In the March 2013 issue, the magazine wrote a piece about the Phylo project and made a call for submissions to their readers to create deck artwork. Entries were moderated, researched, and then used to create the MUSEMON deck. This was released in two installments in two separate magazine issues (Nov/Dec 2013 and Jan 2014 MUSE magazine issues). Except for the EVENT cards (which highlight the various MUSE characters), all art was created by young readers!
Naturhistorisk Museum Aarhus Ice Age Deck
2018 - (See Cards | Host Info | Download Danish cards/rules | Download English cards/rules)... This deck is based on the exhibition "Back to the Ice Age" at the Natural History Museum in Aarhus, Denmark. During the Ice Age, Denmark was partially covered by glaciers and this deck represents a wide variety of the biodiversity that would have been found there.
2018 - (See Cards | Host Info | Download Danish cards/rules | Download English cards/rules)... This deck is based on the exhibition "Back to the Ice Age" at the Natural History Museum in Aarhus, Denmark. During the Ice Age, Denmark was partially covered by glaciers and this deck represents a wide variety of the biodiversity that would have been found there.
Nerd Nite Expansion Pack
2015 - (See Cards/Deck Info | Download - card backs | Purchase)... This set is associated with the Vancouver Nerd Nite organization, and highlights 9 organisms that were suggested during one of their events. Specifically, organisms were solicited based on "coolness" and/or "peculiarity." Note that this is an expansion deck and cannot be played on its own.
2015 - (See Cards/Deck Info | Download - card backs | Purchase)... This set is associated with the Vancouver Nerd Nite organization, and highlights 9 organisms that were suggested during one of their events. Specifically, organisms were solicited based on "coolness" and/or "peculiarity." Note that this is an expansion deck and cannot be played on its own.
North Vancouver Expansion Deck
2020 - (Sample Cards | Download Expansion Pack | This pack can be added to the Beaty Deck)... This deck was created by a small group of North Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) homelearners. It was designed specifically to be used as an expansion pack the Vancouver centric Beaty Biodiversity Deck. Credits: Fraser Wagner (artist), Elliott Chaplin, Sam Beatty, Gabe Nielson, Layne Rausch, Josh Ravensbergen and Krista Tulloch.
2020 - (Sample Cards | Download Expansion Pack | This pack can be added to the Beaty Deck)... This deck was created by a small group of North Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) homelearners. It was designed specifically to be used as an expansion pack the Vancouver centric Beaty Biodiversity Deck. Credits: Fraser Wagner (artist), Elliott Chaplin, Sam Beatty, Gabe Nielson, Layne Rausch, Josh Ravensbergen and Krista Tulloch.
O'Reilly Animals Starter Deck
2014 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download - card backs)... This deck includes a variety of organisms that are represented by various O'Reilly book covers and are also in various levels of endangerment. More information about the organisms and conservation work can be found at animals.oreilly.com/. The game consists of 41 different cards, encompassing a variety of organism and events.
2014 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download - card backs)... This deck includes a variety of organisms that are represented by various O'Reilly book covers and are also in various levels of endangerment. More information about the organisms and conservation work can be found at animals.oreilly.com/. The game consists of 41 different cards, encompassing a variety of organism and events.
Ocean Wise West Coast Marine Life Deck
2019 - (See Cards | Host Info | Download game | Purchase)... This deck, hosted by Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Aquarium, and created by students from Sentinel High School, is a STARTER deck that also includes a new mechanic regarding water depth. It includes a variety of organisms that are locally relevant to marine habitats in British Columbia, as well as species found in the Vancouver Aquarium space.
2019 - (See Cards | Host Info | Download game | Purchase)... This deck, hosted by Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Aquarium, and created by students from Sentinel High School, is a STARTER deck that also includes a new mechanic regarding water depth. It includes a variety of organisms that are locally relevant to marine habitats in British Columbia, as well as species found in the Vancouver Aquarium space.
Phytochemistry Expansion Deck
2016 – (See Cards/Deck Info | Download | Purchase)… This set was designed by Dr. Stephen McNeil (and illustrated by Julia K. Kreutz) to highlight plant species that are important because of the chemical compounds they provide. As such, it introduces to the Phylo system, a new card type (Chemistry cards), as well as a new rule for expanded play in the Phylo Ecosystem Rules. This deck can be used an expansion deck for the main Phylo ecosystem game (cannot be played on its own in this manner), or used as a stand alone game where pair wise mechanics are followed (i.e. memory, go fish, etc). Includes 10 plant species cards, and 10 associated phytochemical cards.
2016 – (See Cards/Deck Info | Download | Purchase)… This set was designed by Dr. Stephen McNeil (and illustrated by Julia K. Kreutz) to highlight plant species that are important because of the chemical compounds they provide. As such, it introduces to the Phylo system, a new card type (Chemistry cards), as well as a new rule for expanded play in the Phylo Ecosystem Rules. This deck can be used an expansion deck for the main Phylo ecosystem game (cannot be played on its own in this manner), or used as a stand alone game where pair wise mechanics are followed (i.e. memory, go fish, etc). Includes 10 plant species cards, and 10 associated phytochemical cards.
Pond Biodiversity Deck (Beta)
2015 – (See Cards/Deck Info | Download | Purchase)… This deck, hosted by the Keeling Lab at UBC, is a special microbial STARTER deck. It includes a variety of organisms that were found in a small riparian system outside the Beaty Biodiversity Museum in Vancouver, British Columbia. As such, it is a good representation of pond microbial biodiversity. Note the game is currently in beta as the scientific content is continually being vetted by experts. Note that the general game play is based on trophic connections that are all "black" in colour, and represented by the usual FOOD CHAIN numbers of 1 to 3. This game does not work with other PHYLO game systems.
2015 – (See Cards/Deck Info | Download | Purchase)… This deck, hosted by the Keeling Lab at UBC, is a special microbial STARTER deck. It includes a variety of organisms that were found in a small riparian system outside the Beaty Biodiversity Museum in Vancouver, British Columbia. As such, it is a good representation of pond microbial biodiversity. Note the game is currently in beta as the scientific content is continually being vetted by experts. Note that the general game play is based on trophic connections that are all "black" in colour, and represented by the usual FOOD CHAIN numbers of 1 to 3. This game does not work with other PHYLO game systems.
SCWIST Canadian Scientist Expansion Deck
2018 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download Deck | Download Rules Only | Purchase - TBA)… This expansion deck was designed as part of a youth leadership program at the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST). Ellen Tamblyn was in grade 12 when she created this expansion pack as a way to promote different STEM career fields to youth. She wanted to highlight Canadian female scientists from a variety of fields and time periods. Note that this deck cannot be played by itself, and requires the WWEST Starter Deck.
2018 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download Deck | Download Rules Only | Purchase - TBA)… This expansion deck was designed as part of a youth leadership program at the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST). Ellen Tamblyn was in grade 12 when she created this expansion pack as a way to promote different STEM career fields to youth. She wanted to highlight Canadian female scientists from a variety of fields and time periods. Note that this deck cannot be played by itself, and requires the WWEST Starter Deck.
United Kingdom Vintage Deck
2014 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... All organisms collected depict common flora and fauna found in the United Kingdom. This is a DIY 60 card STARTER deck that collects vintage biodiversity related illustrations that predate 1913 (at least one hundred years old). Most come from wiki commons or the Biodiversity Heritage Library, where copyright status appears clear. Note that if an image used are breaking copyright status, please contact db@mail.ubc.ca so that we can remove the image.
2014 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... All organisms collected depict common flora and fauna found in the United Kingdom. This is a DIY 60 card STARTER deck that collects vintage biodiversity related illustrations that predate 1913 (at least one hundred years old). Most come from wiki commons or the Biodiversity Heritage Library, where copyright status appears clear. Note that if an image used are breaking copyright status, please contact db@mail.ubc.ca so that we can remove the image.
Voyage of the Beagle Darwin Deck
2016 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download cards : board : rules | Purchase Box Set : Cards Only)... This is a deck made with research help from Karen James and includes commissioned art of a variety of organisms that Darwin observed or collected whilst on the H.M.S. Beagle. This deck will include 40 new cards and also a small game board that depicts a map of the voyage route. Note that the different card border colours are representative of different legs of the journey.
2016 - (See Cards | Deck Info | Download cards : board : rules | Purchase Box Set : Cards Only)... This is a deck made with research help from Karen James and includes commissioned art of a variety of organisms that Darwin observed or collected whilst on the H.M.S. Beagle. This deck will include 40 new cards and also a small game board that depicts a map of the voyage route. Note that the different card border colours are representative of different legs of the journey.
World Science Festival Coral Reef Deck
2012 - (See cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... The WSF Coral Reef Deck was produced in collaboration with the 2012 World Science Festival‘s coral reef exhibit, Reefs As Never Before Seen. The exhibit premiered on May 31st, 2012, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The game consists of 39 different cards, and would be considered an advanced version of the game given the less familiar complexity involved in marine ecosystems.
2012 - (See cards | Deck Info | Download | Purchase)... The WSF Coral Reef Deck was produced in collaboration with the 2012 World Science Festival‘s coral reef exhibit, Reefs As Never Before Seen. The exhibit premiered on May 31st, 2012, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The game consists of 39 different cards, and would be considered an advanced version of the game given the less familiar complexity involved in marine ecosystems.
WWEST Women in Science and Engineering Deck
2017 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download Game | Download Rules Only | Purchase)... This is in collaboration with WWEST, and focuses on awesome women in STEM, as well as issues pertaining to the challenges around gender equity. For more information on the grant acquired to create the deck, please see this link. This deck uses the hand building game mechanic (as seen in the GSA deck). Please feel free to download the cards and rules, as well as let us know if you have any great ideas for expansion decks.
2017 – (See Cards | Deck Info | Download Game | Download Rules Only | Purchase)... This is in collaboration with WWEST, and focuses on awesome women in STEM, as well as issues pertaining to the challenges around gender equity. For more information on the grant acquired to create the deck, please see this link. This deck uses the hand building game mechanic (as seen in the GSA deck). Please feel free to download the cards and rules, as well as let us know if you have any great ideas for expansion decks.