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Graduation Date

2026

Document Type

Portfolio

Degree

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Degree Name

Social Work

School or Department

Social Work

Abstract

This MSW portfolio narrative examines the expanding boundaries of social work practice at the intersection of human and ecological systems. Organized as a series of interconnected personal essays structured around river metaphors, the portfolio argues that social work's anthropocentric foundations limit the profession's capacity to address contemporary crises of environmental justice, climate change, and ecological health. Drawing on fieldwork in natural resources conflict resolution, wilderness therapy, outdoor education, and climate health advocacy in rural Montana, the author demonstrates competency across all ten CSWE social work practice behaviors while advancing a practice framework that centers relational, embodied, and ecologically grounded intervention.

The portfolio includes policy analysis of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act as colonial policy and structural racism; application of the Just Practice framework to Lower Snake River dam removal as environmental justice; a needs assessment of wildland firefighter mental health; a critical literature review of adventure therapy ethics and efficacy; an organizational leadership proposal for a gender-inclusive nonprofit; and curriculum development addressing gender discrimination in outdoor spaces.

Theoretical frameworks include General Systems Theory, Ecopsychology, ecofeminism, and the rights of nature movement. The portfolio contributes to emerging conversations about ecological social work, decolonial approaches to natural resource management, and the integration of somatic and experiential modalities in practice. Keywords: ecological social work, environmental justice, rights of nature, adventure therapy, wildland firefighter mental health, dam removal, Indigenous sovereignty, ecopsychology, natural resources conflict resolution, rural social work, Montana, climate health.

Keywords

ecological social work, environmental justice, rights of nature, adventure therapy, wildland firefighter mental health, dam removal, ecopsychology, ecofeminism, decolonial social work, climate health, natural resources conflict resolution, climate health, rural social work

Subject Categories

Environmental Studies | Social Work

A Guide to Growing Broad: : Expanding the Notion of Social for Mental Health, Natural Resources, and the Infinite Intersections of How to Care for the World

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