Field Notes What is Ecological Medicine? November 3, 2026/Wendy Figone/community news Ecological Medicine reminds us that our health is deeply connected to the living world. Discover how Forest Therapy cultivates meaningful relationships with nature, supports well-being, and inspires conservation. Because when we deepen our connection with nature, we are more likely to protect what we love. Ecological Medicine: Cultivating Our Relationship With the Living WorldHow Forest Therapy Connects Nature, Health, Belonging, and ConservationI want to thank Dr. Robert Zarr, a pioneer in nature prescribing, for introducing me to the emerging concept of Ecological Medicine.What Is Ecological Medicine?At its heart, Ecological Medicine recognizes that human health is inseparable from the health of our relationships and the living systems that sustain us.Rather than viewing health solely through the lens of the individual, it recognizes that our well-being is shaped by our connections with ourselves, one another, and the more-than-human world.Importantly, this relationship is reciprocal. Nature is not simply a resource we turn to for better health. We belong to the living world, and its well-being is connected to our own.A scientific consensus statement published in EcoHealth explores this connection-based approach to health, emphasizing the relationships between people, communities, and ecosystems.Ecological Medicine provides a framework for understanding our interconnectedness. Forest Therapy offers a practice for cultivating that connection.Relationships Require Our AttentionI like to think about our relationship with the more-than-human world in much the same way we think about developing a meaningful relationship with another person.Imagine meeting someone you genuinely wanted to know on a deeper, more intimate level. You would invest time, energy, curiosity, and attention in cultivating that relationship. You would listen, notice, and return to spend time together. Over time, familiarity might grow into trust, appreciation, and a sense of belonging.Why would our relationship with the natural world be any different?The trees, birds, waterways, and countless living beings around us are not simply a backdrop to our lives. We are part of an interconnected living system, and like any meaningful relationship, our connection with nature deepens through attention and time spent together.From Connection to ConservationA familiar saying often attributed to ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau captures this beautifully:“We protect what we love.”When we spend time getting to know a place—its trees, seasonal changes, birdsong, and quiet rhythms—we begin to develop a sense of familiarity and care.That relationship can inspire something beyond our own well-being: a desire to protect the living world that sustains us.This is where forest therapy and conservation meet. By cultivating meaningful relationships with nature, we create opportunities not only for personal restoration but also for environmental stewardship.The more we come to know and love a place, the more likely we may be to care for its future.Forest Therapy: Putting Ecological Medicine Into PracticeForest Therapy, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (森林浴), or forest bathing, offers a way to intentionally cultivate this relationship.Through slowing down, engaging our senses, and noticing what captures our attention, we create opportunities to restore attention, regulate stress, and experience a deeper sense of belonging within the living world.Certified Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) Forest Therapy Trails are intentionally designed to support these connections through thoughtful trail design, sensory invitations, and forest therapy programming.These trails invite people to move beyond simply visiting nature toward developing an ongoing relationship with a particular living place.From Nature Connection to HealthcareResearch suggests that time in nature can support stress reduction, mood, attention restoration, and overall well-being.Ecological Medicine offers a broader framework for understanding why these relationships matter and how forest therapy trails, nature prescriptions, and accessible nature-based programs can complement conventional healthcare.At Somatic Ecotherapy, our work focuses on bringing these connections to life, particularly for communities and individuals who may have limited access to restorative experiences in nature.The invitation is simple: Spend time. Pay attention. Cultivate the relationship. Return.Come Experience Forest Therapy With MeI invite you to join me on a guided Forest Therapy walk. Discover what happens when we slow down, engage our senses, and begin cultivating a deeper relationship with the living world.Subscribe for upcoming Forest Therapy walks, events, and invitationsBring a Certified Forest Therapy Trail to Your CommunityAre you interested in creating a place where people can slow down, restore their attention, and deepen their relationship with the natural world?As an ANFT Forest Therapy Trail Consultant, I work with organizations to develop certified Forest Therapy Trails that integrate nature connection, accessibility, and evidence-informed wellness practices.I welcome opportunities to collaborate with college and university campuses, healthcare organizations and foundations, technology campuses, public parks, and community spaces to bring forest therapy into the places where people live, learn, work, and heal.Contact Somatic Ecotherapy to explore certifying a Forest Therapy Trail at your siteResearch ReferenceMakhinson, M., et al. (2026). A Consensus Statement for Ecological Medicine: Moving Toward Connection-Based Medicine. EcoHealth, 23, 153–166. Published online October 25, 2025.Read the research on PubMed Comments (0) Please sign in to add a comment. No comments have been posted yet.