Please note: this is an independent project lead by a UBC student, and not an EML project.

A Digital Pathway to Holistic Well-Being

Forestʌr is a multifaceted app that integrates Augmented Reality (AR) and interactive guidance to offer a personalized forest bathing experience, addressing key barriers such as location, time, and financial constraints. Informed by the project lead’s rigorous research on the health-promoting effects of forest bathing, the app initially focuses on helping undergraduates counter urban stress and nature disconnection. Forestʌr’s flexible design paves the way for broader demographic engagement and adaptability to indoor settings, contributing to psychological and physiological well-being.

Bridging Nature and Accessibility

While introducing technology into a practice rooted in nature may seem counterintuitive, Forestʌr aims to amplify, rather than disrupt, the inherent health benefits of forest bathing. The app minimizes digital distractions by encouraging multisensory exploration and allows participants to fine-tune their level of interaction, educational insight, and sensory focus. Initially available in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, the app is designed for future expansion to various natural and indoor environments.

Tailored, Engaging, Insightful

Forestʌr delivers a highly individualized forest immersion experience. Participants can select specific trails, set health-oriented objectives, and choose between meditative or educational guidance. Interactive voice, OpenAI chatbot features, and AR deepen engagement with the natural environment. Post-session mood surveys provide immediate, tangible insights that guide future interactions and enable long-term health tracking.

The Team

Team Leads

• Dr. John Innes
• Tara Brown

Student Team

• Julien Roy (May 2023 – September 2023)
• Yebin Cho (May 2023 – September 2023)
• Sadie Lee (May 2023 – September 2023)
• Zhanerke (Janner) Zhumash (May 2023 – September 2023)
• Annika Coutinho (May 2023 – September 2023)