NCC Bushfire Conference: Nature as the Story of Recovery
The impact of the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires
In the heart of the Snowy Valleys – a region still bearing the deep scars of the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, followed by COVID-19 and catastrophic flooding, something powerful is quietly taking place: nature is not only healing, but helping to heal.
This week, NatureFix was thrilled to present alongside the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) at the Nature Conservation Council Bushfire Conference, where we explored the important role of nature-based health interventions in disaster recovery. Our joint presentation told a story of community strength, clinical innovation, and the regenerative power of nature.
The Catalyst for Change
In the aftermath of these disasters, the Snowy Valleys region faced not just physical destruction but profound emotional distress. Many residents were left feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the very landscapes they once loved. The trauma wasn’t just individual, it was collective. It ran through families, through first responders, and through whole townships.
Recognising this, the Snowy Valleys Nature Wellness Drive was developed a community-led initiative designed to reconnect people with nature in a safe and meaningful way. Backed by NatureFix and MLHD, and guided by the community including First Nations wisdom, the Drive focuses on nature not just as a backdrop, but as an active partner in healing and recovery.
Snowy Valleys Nature Wellness Drive
Nature Wellness Trails: From Crisis to Connection
Six towns across the Snowy Valleys now host Nature Wellness Trails, places intentionally designed to support mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and rebuild resilience. These aren’t just walking tracks, they are immersive experiences, combining evidence-based therapeutic principles with the natural assets of the landscape.
Individuals are invited to slow down, notice, reflect, and reconnect, simple yet powerful practices that are now part of a six-week therapeutic program being trialled for individuals experiencing acute mental health symptoms, including PTSD.
Why This Matters Now
As the impacts of climate change intensify, climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. Recovery is no longer a one-time effort, it’s a constant, evolving need. And so, we must evolve our strategies.
Nature-based health interventions like the Nature Wellness Drive are:
Scalable and cost-effective
Clinically informed and community-driven
Culturally respectful and ecologically restorative
They offer a model that integrates health, emergency response, and environmental care in one cohesive approach.
A New Horizon for Health and Resilience
With promising results, the Nature Wellness Drive is now expanding into Victoria, bringing with it a renewed commitment to ecological and human health. The message is clear: nature connection is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
In a time of compounding crises, we need to invest more than ever in therapeutic landscapes and nature-based recovery and resilience building programs. They not only help us survive – they help us heal.
Learn more about the Snowy Valleys Nature Wellness Drive HERE
Learn how to install your own Nature Wellness Trail or undertake Nature Prescription Training to build the health benefits of nature into your program or organisation.