How might immersive technologies reshape how people experience nature in cities? And what role could virtual nature play in supporting wellbeing, tourism, and environmental engagement in the future?
These were among the central questions explored during a recent VR Roundtable on Immersive Nature Experiences hosted by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) on March 5th 2026 at the Luke Virtual Nature Lab in Helsinki. Convened as part of the VERNE Project’s Finnish Pilot on Virtual Nature Tourism, the event brought together researchers, developers, and innovation organisations working across virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) to discuss the emerging opportunities and challenges associated with immersive nature experiences.
The morning session began with a tour of the Luke Virtual Nature Lab (VirtuLab), where participants were introduced to ongoing research exploring simulated and immersive nature environments. The lab investigates how digital nature experiences can expand access to nature-based wellbeing while complementing traditional nature-based tourism and recreation.
The roundtable discussion that followed brought together a diverse group of participants representing organisations across Finland’s immersive technology ecosystem. Attendees included representatives from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (VR Project and the Helsinki XR Centre), the Finnish VR Federation (FIVR), Aalto University, Teatime Research, StereoScape and MemoScape Oy, flyAR Augmented Reality Studio Oy, FIG Ventures / Nova VRx, OiOi, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (VR Nature Project), the Helsinki XR Centre, and Medeka. Together, the group explored how immersive technologies might contribute to new forms of nature engagement and experience design.
Emerging Technologies and New Creative Possibilities
One major theme that emerged from the discussion was the rapid evolution of immersive technologies and their potential applications in nature-based experiences. Participants highlighted several developments that are shaping the field, including improvements in spatial computing, location-based augmented reality, real-time environmental mapping, and AI-assisted content generation.
At the same time, participants noted that technological innovation alone does not guarantee meaningful experiences. Many emphasised that the success of virtual nature experiences ultimately depends on thoughtful experience design. Immersive environments must not only be visually compelling, but also emotionally engaging and accessible to diverse audiences.
Rather than focusing solely on technological realism, several participants stressed the importance of designing experiences that support interpretation, storytelling, and user interaction. This could include guided experiences that reveal ecological processes, interactive environments that respond to user behaviour, or social experiences that allow multiple participants to explore virtual landscapes together.
Sustainability and Responsible Innovation
Another important topic raised during the discussion was sustainability within the development and deployment of immersive technologies. As XR technologies become more widely used, questions of environmental responsibility and circularity are becoming increasingly relevant.
Participants noted that VR and AR systems carry environmental impacts through hardware production, energy consumption, and device lifecycles. As the field grows, developers and researchers may need to consider how sustainability can be integrated into immersive technology ecosystems. Possible approaches discussed included extending hardware lifespans, improving device reuse and refurbishment, and exploring ways to measure and track environmental impacts associated with immersive experiences.
At the same time, virtual nature experiences may also create opportunities to reduce certain environmental pressures. For example, immersive simulations could complement physical travel experiences, support environmental education, or provide alternative ways to experience fragile ecosystems without increasing visitor pressure.
Identifying Use Cases and Market Opportunities
A central focus of the roundtable was the question of how immersive nature experiences might translate into real-world applications and market demand in Helsinki.
Participants explored a range of potential use cases across sectors. These included applications in tourism and visitor centres, environmental education, rehabilitation and healthcare settings, urban wellbeing initiatives, and accessibility for individuals who may have limited access to natural environments.
However, participants also emphasised that demonstrating clear value will be essential for wider adoption. Institutions and organisations considering immersive technologies will need evidence of impact, whether in terms of visitor engagement, educational outcomes, health and wellbeing benefits, or economic returns.
Helsinki was identified as a potentially promising environment for piloting such applications. With its strong technology sector, vibrant startup ecosystem, and close connections between research institutions and industry, the city offers a supportive context for experimentation and collaboration.
Building a Collaborative Ecosystem
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the roundtable was the strength and diversity of expertise already present within Helsinki’s immersive technology community. Participants brought perspectives from software development, research, creative industries, education, and entrepreneurship, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of the field.
The discussion also revealed a shared interest in strengthening connections between immersive technology developers, researchers, and potential application sectors such as tourism, health, and education. Initiatives like the VERNE project and the Luke Virtual Nature Lab can play an important role in facilitating these exchanges, helping to bridge research insights with practical innovation.
As immersive technologies continue to evolve, collaboration between these actors will be essential in shaping experiences that are not only technologically sophisticated, but also meaningful, sustainable, and socially valuable.
Looking Ahead
The Luke VR Roundtable demonstrated both the excitement surrounding immersive technologies and the thoughtful reflection needed to guide their development. Virtual nature experiences offer intriguing possibilities for expanding access to nature, enhancing interpretation, and supporting wellbeing in urban environments. At the same time, their success will depend on careful experience design, responsible innovation, and evidence-based development.
The VERNE project will continue to explore these questions as part of its broader work on innovative and sustainable approaches to nature-based tourism and recreation. Events such as this roundtable provide valuable opportunities to bring together researchers and practitioners to collectively imagine—and shape—the future of virtual nature experiences.
As interest in immersive technologies grows, Helsinki has the potential to become an important testbed for innovation in this space. The insights generated during the roundtable represent an encouraging step toward building the partnerships and ideas that could make this possible.
