Environmental and ecological needs arise when an individual’s health, stability, or sense of belonging is impacted by disconnection from the natural world. These needs reflect the reality that our bodies and minds respond directly to the condition of the Earth around us , its soil, its water, its air, and its capacity to sustain life. When ecosystems are damaged or inaccessible, people often experience increased stress, inflammation, chronic illness, and emotional exhaustion.
At Restore Forward, we understand these needs through the lens of land-based recovery and ecological stewardship. True healing begins with restoring relationship to the Earth: touching soil, tending plants, participating in organic farming, and receiving the wisdom of nature as medicine. Many individuals require structured opportunities to reconnect with land — especially those living in environments marked by pollution, food deserts, displacement, or climate-related instability.
In our model, ecological needs are not separate from personal or clinical needs. They are foundational. To restore a person’s health, we must also restore their relationship to land — because the Earth is the original healer, and the body cannot fully recover in the absence of ecological balance.
