To Heal a Nation from War, Heal Nature First

Ukraine is using restored wild landscapes to support healing and resilience, as conservation projects now help soldiers and families recover from the psychological toll of war.

“Nature is as resilient as our people,” said Mykhailo Nesterenko, Executive Director of Rewilding Ukraine, adding that reconnecting people with nature offers hope and renewal even during conflict.

Since the invasion began, rewilding initiatives have restored 13,500 hectares of wetlands and grasslands in the Danube Delta and Tarutino Steppe, reintroduced more than 240 animal species, and recorded over 70 wild-born offspring since 2022. Alongside ecological recovery, the Nature for Veterans programme has welcomed dozens of soldiers and families into these revitalised landscapes, responding to the needs of an estimated 1.8 million veterans who may require psychological support. The initiative builds on evidence that nature-based immersion can ease post-traumatic stress, showing how restoring ecosystems can also help restore lives.