Environment & Natural Systems Recovery

The Environment and Natural Systems sector focuses on reducing a community’s exposure to environmental hazards to acceptable levels that allows for the safe re-entry of the community into homes and businesses, restoration of services and  restoration of ecosystems. This sector also aims to leverage natural systems to mitigate risks from future disasters.

This sector supports communities by addressing immediate environmental hazards while also restoring the natural systems that protect public health, safety, and livelihoods. It plays a critical role in reducing exposure to environmental risks and integrating nature-based solutions and green infrastructure to strengthen resilience against future disasters.

This guide provides a structured approach to recovery across phases, from environmental assessment and debris management in early recovery, to remediation and ecosystem restoration during sustained recovery, and the integration of long-term environmental resilience into ongoing land and resource management. It also outlines key operational considerations, including inter-agency coordination, capacity for environmental monitoring, and data sharing, to support effective, safe, and sustainable recovery outcomes.