The Agents of Discovery Mobile App is a free educational tool to encourage families who want to spend more time outdoors. Think Pokemon Go but for nature. Six Metro Parks Tacoma locations offer missions. You'll also find eight partners from Seattle to Snoqualmie with additional missions. Become a Puget Sound Explorer by completing missions by Sept. 9, 2022 and receive cool prizes. At each site earn a badge. Complete three missions and earn a lanyard to hold the badges. Six missions finished and get a certificate and a chance to win an Adventure Backpack. Enter to win tickets to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek, Woodland Park Zoo, or the Pacific Science Center by completing nine missions.

"Agents of Discovery was really successful during the pandemic to give people a fun way to learn about nature," explained Michele Cardinaux, supervisor of the Tacoma Nature Center, which is one of the six Metro Parks locations in the program. "It's easy to play, can be done on your own schedule, and makes walking a fun adventure for the whole family."

The App is downloadable for free on Google Play or the App Store. "Missions" at each location can be downloaded in advance, meaning the game can be played without need for data or Wi-Fi. Text-to-speech is available for more accessibility. The challenges are geo-triggered as you walk down a trail. "If you've already played Agents of Discovery, there are now so many more missions to do," explains Cardinaux. "And if you haven't, you're in for a lot of fun!" The Metro Parks Tacoma games were created by staff members

• Wright Park: Discover Champion Trees, iconic statues and a vintage conservatory. Agent Gray Squirrel will lead you through the mission in the 27-acre arboretum with more than 600 trees.
• Tacoma Nature Center: Find native plants, watersheds and local conservation heroes. Agent Striped Skunk will take you through the lower loop trail to learn about the over 75 species of wildlife that call the nature preserve home.
• Titlow Park: Learn about a historic lodge, freshwater lagoon and forest. Agent River Otter will teach you about the forested section of the park and its residents.
• McKinley Park: Find a historic water feature and a forest full of birds. Agent Raccoon will help you uncover the mysteries this parks history holds.
• Lincoln Park: Step back in history amid towering trees while Agent Red-tailed Hawk will share information on the plants and animals found at the park.
• Swan Creek Park: Explore a forest, new play area and bike trails. Check out all the new improvements to the park with Agent Coyote and learn more about the natural features and wildlife found in the park.

"I love how this game helps kids and families get to know our parks in a way that is accessible, interactive and fun," said Park Board President Andrea Smith.

LEARN MORE: At metroparkstacoma.org/agentsofdiscovery