Britain's National Trust recently partnered with Nowadays On Earth and Pitch Studios to present Glitch, an augmented reality platform aiming to bring blossom trees to younger and more diverse audiences. By merging technology with ecological education in an immersive digital experience, the collaboration offers a new way for London residents to connect with nature.
Using AI, machine learning and LIDAR technology, Glitch allows users to visualize five different species of blossom trees in their local environment through their smartphones. The platform features cherry, plum, damson, apple and hawthorn trees, all native to Britain. Through a conversational interface with a 'cyberbug' guide, users answer questions about their neighborhood before generating and virtually placing trees in areas they believe need revitalizing.
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The collaboration addresses multiple converging challenges: declining biodiversity in urban spaces, limited access to green areas in cities, and the need to engage younger generations in conservation efforts. By adding a layer of play to the experience of learning about native flora, the National Trust and Glitch are creating an accessible entry point to gardening and environmental stewardship. As Nowadays On Earth points out, "If we're going to face the polycrisis head-on, we need more than urgency — we need imagination and tools that invite people to grow another world."
