Technology’s involvement in nature has grown massively in recent years as digital concepts and ideas become more integrated into our lives. Since the COVID pandemic, our relationship has changed with nature. According to Natural England’s 2022 People and Nature Survey, nearly half of adults in England have spent more time outdoors than before the pandemic began.

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As a result, organisations are looking to enhance their experiences with digital solutions so that more visitors and locals can connect with the world around us in a new and exciting way. With recent trends like Pokémon Go and geocaching apps, people of all ages are being encouraged to grab their smartphones and embrace the outdoors. However, these examples only scratch the surface of the true potential digital engagement can bring to our surroundings.

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In this blog, we’ll explore how digital technology is deepening the public’s connection with nature. We’ll also share the new ways locals are being encouraged to become more involved in environmental efforts.

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Let’s start by diving into how technology innovations are transforming visitor experiences …

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Visitor Experiences

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Creating unique and engaging experiences can be crucial for encouraging repeat visits and referrals. The more time visitors spend outdoors, the more likely they are to share their experiences with their fellow friends and family. For Forestry England, hosting large-scale events like live concerts and providing GoApe adventures offers something for everyone to enjoy. Whilst some natural landscapes can’t host experiences of this size, there are still plenty of other creative ways to allow the public to better connect with the outside world.

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1) Educational Experiences: First of all, transforming how information is shared can turn the average visit into an educational adventure. With digital solutions, information can now be presented beyond the realms of a typical interpretation (information) board. An interactive quiz, for example, allows organisations to gauge public knowledge on certain subjects, or a visitor trail could take people of all ages on a unique journey across their surroundings. When education becomes an enjoyable experience, it’s more likely that your visitors will retain information they’ve learnt for longer.

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With Central Bedfordshire Council and Hertfordshire County Council, a new family-friendly experience is inviting young explorers to join virtual tour guide Oscar the Otter on his Riverside Ramble. As visitors travel through Pix Brook at Standalone Farm, they’re taken on an exciting journey to learn about flooding, climate change and environmental conservation. Plus, there’s the chance to test their knowledge on topics like biodiversity and water quality along the way. Through the creation of this interactive experience, Central Bedfordshire Council discovered a dual benefit to blending education with the outdoors. They found that 87% of users felt that being connected with nature has had a direct impact on their physical and mental health. 

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2) Exploration: Whilst large locations like forests or parks may have lots to offer experience-wise, their sheer size can sometimes be daunting. Even with physical maps or signage, getting to scenic viewpoints and nearby attractions can be tricky. If your visitors are spending too much time wayfinding, it can take away from the relaxing outdoor experience they’re looking for. So, how can you ensure visitors can just truly focus on appreciating the beauty around them?

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Since 2020, Hello Lamp Post has partnered with Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to bring their cultural landmarks to life to educate individuals on the rich history of their iconic sites. At the Sub Base Platypus, their virtual assistant is on hand to instantly answer public queries. From discovering local activities on offer to finding places to eat, visitors are spending more time enjoying unique sites without the stress of wayfinding. In fact, 80% of users felt satisfied with their visit to the heritage site. When asked, “How does this area look today?”, responses included “achingly beautiful”, “absolutely stunning” and “beautiful and peaceful.” With less time focused on navigation, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust visitors are feeling more connected to their spaces and even more satisfied with their visit.

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Community Involvement

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While entertaining your visitors is important, encouraging the public to become more ‘hands-on’ with nature can help to build more meaningful connections to the world around us. Whether this is through sharing volunteering opportunities or promoting eco-friendly habits, technology has the potential to reach countless more people, encouraging them to come together to protect the natural spaces we all love. 

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Let’s take a closer look at how collaboration can play a key role in making this happen...

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1) Collaboration: With collaboration comes co-production, a way of putting the very people directly impacted by development projects at the heart of decision-making. It’s a chance to gather fresh perspectives on key topics and actively involve locals in shaping both current and future initiatives. Collaboration isn’t just about gathering public insight, it’s also about bridging the gap between organisations and communities. This builds stronger relationships and trust but also ensures that nature-based solutions are more effective and widely supported by the public.

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The City of York Council is one organisation that has put collaboration into practice by calling upon residents to help make a real difference in the local area. By educating the community on nature-based solutions such as Natural Flood Management (NFM), we’re empowering the public to make informed decisions to help shape local developments which impact their flood resiliency. As part of the deployment, Hello Lamp Post asked those who could make the biggest difference, like farmers and landowners, whether they’d be willing to implement NFM solutions on their ground, with 75% willing to do so. As for the general public, 50% of users felt that they’d learned something new through Hello Lamp Post’s conversations on NFM. Through this education, locals can now help the council with decision-making, fostering a sense of ownership and pride when changes are made to their environment. 

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2) Personal Actions: Whether it's reducing carbon emissions or increasing biodiversity, our small actions collectively make a big difference when tackling climate change. When highlighting the collective power our efforts can bring, you can encourage people to feel more personally connected and responsible for the health of our planet. However, not everyone knows where to start when reducing their climate impacts, or may feel like it’s all hard work. In fact, in research conducted by Doconomy about the climate crisis, 25% of surveyed people said that the cost-of-living crisis was seen as more of an immediate priority than taking climate action. By sharing the simple steps people can take, everyone can contribute to a healthier planet.

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For the community of Dundee, residents are joining the Climate Journey to understand how Dundee City Council is tackling climate change head-on. These interactive experiences are helping to change public attitudes

to climate change by offering practical tips on reducing home energy usage and preparing for future floods, along with other climate challenges. With a more collective effort to tackle climate change, more people are feeling a sense of personal responsibility when it comes to protecting our planet.

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For many people, connecting with nature is a chance to switch off from daily life, and soak up the beauty the world has to offer. It’s not just about relaxing; nature can also play a vital role in keeping us both emotionally and physically healthy. As organisations look to utilise new technologies, there are now more ways than ever to continue growing and improving personal connections with our surroundings. Whether it’s through exciting visitor experiences, or getting involved in nature-based initiatives, innovation is opening the door for every individual to connect with nature in their own way.

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Looking to involve more of your residents or visitors with the world around us? If you’d like to find out about our projects, please send a message via our contact form to chat with our friendly engagement team in either the UK or the US.

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There’s more to come… In our next blog, we’ll dive even deeper into the true potential digital advancements can bring to the world of nature. We’ll take a closer look at cutting-edge methods being used to better protect and manage our natural landscapes, including reporting on water quality and safety through citizen science.