Virtual Reality

Local environmental projects open for funding

The Project

Virtual Reality provides a way for the public to experience the natural environment as if they were there themselves. This project will increase awareness and connectedness to nature, helping the community appreciate the beauty of our local natural environment which they may not be able to see themselves in-person.

Overview

Project Information

The Nature Commission, in partnership with the Marine Section of La Société Guernesiaise and the Alderney Wildlife Trust, is looking to purchase virtual reality (VR) headsets as a community engagement and education tool. This will provide students and other members of the public who may have limited access to nature the opportunity to experience it. Primarily, the headsets would provide VR wildlife tours of habitats in the Bailiwick's marine environment, but they could also be used to provide tours of freshwater and terrestrial habitats.

This project will increase awareness and connectedness to the Bailiwick's natural environment. Through VR, the community will be able to appreciate the beauty of our amazing natural environment. It can also help students and others learn about identifying species and habitats, and help them understand the pressures they face, without the associated risks of a physical tour.

Funding needed

The cost of this project over the first two years is calculated to be £16,500. This includes the following aspects:

purchase of VR hardware and software
development of underwater habitat 360degree video footage
delivery of educational sessions to the public (including schools).

Examples of VR initiatives elsewhere

The Sir Peter Blake Trust (BLAKE) was established in 2004 in New Zealand and is dedicated to continuing his environmental leadership legacy. Their mantra is "If we can't take every child to the ocean, let's bring the ocean to every child."

The BLAKE school outreach programme aims to connect thousands of young New Zealanders with the marine environment. Through virtual reality (VR) technology the NZ-VR initiative allows students to experience the rich biodiversity that exists below the surface of the ocean, as well as the damage that has been done to the ecosystems.

Find out more here: BLAKE NZ-VR - Blake NZ

Which UN Sustainable Development Goals does this Project contribute to?

This project helps to progress against the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

#4 quality education
#13 climate action
#14 life below water

Organisation details

This project is a partnership between the Nature Commission, La Société Guernesiaise and the Alderney Wildlife Trust.

For more information visit Nature Commission Guernsey and Marine Biology - La Societe Guernesiaise.

To support this project, please contact: office@naturecommission.gg

Outcomes

Immersive learning and environmental education: VR creates an immersive experience that captures attention better than traditional media. Users can explore ecosystems, and see impacts of human activities in a controlled setting
Accessibility and inclusion: people who can't physically visit a place, due to cost, mobility, or knowledge, can still experience them virtually. Students and communities without access to outdoor areas can still explore nature
Emotional impact: seeing biodiversity up close in VR can evoke empathy and concern, motivating positive environmental behaviour
Safe exploration: users can safely explore the underwater environment without endangering themselves of the environment
Mental health and well-being: VR nature experiences can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, especially for those with limited access to green and blue spaces
Cognitive benefits: nature exposure, even virtual, is linked to improved attention and cognitive function.

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