A Mountain of Health Benefits: Impacts of Ecological Restoration Activities on Human Wellbeing

This paper investigates the often-overlooked positive impacts of ecological restoration activities on human well-being, particularly in rural areas. Recognizing that environmental degradation is linked to public health problems, the study argues that restoring ecosystems can also improve human health. The research focuses on a community in Tasmania, Australia, where local people have engaged in ecological restoration for over 20 years, and utilizes interview data to explore how participation in these activities affects various aspects of health and well-being. The study highlights the potential for place-based ecological restoration to address individual and community-level well-being challenges exacerbated by geographic isolation, poverty, and limited access to health services.

The analysis identifies specific aspects of participating in ecological restoration that support well-being and proposes how these activities can better align with mainstream rural health service delivery. The study suggests that carefully designed, holistic ecological restoration programs can play a role in alleviating complex health issues affecting rural communities. By connecting ecological initiatives with human health outcomes, the paper advocates for a more integrated approach to addressing rural health inequities and improving overall community well-being.

Pauline Marsh, Stuart Auckland, Todd Dudley, Dave Kendal, Emily Flies,
A mountain of health benefits? Impacts of ecological restoration activities on human wellbeing,
Wellbeing, Space and Society, Volume 4, 2023, 100132, ISSN 2666-5581, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2023.100132.