Digital technology presents a historic opportunity for China to advance ecological civilization, serving as a new driver for promoting the development of livable, business-friendly, and beautiful rural areas. This study first analyzes the theoretical mechanism through which digital technology influences the rural ecological environment. Second, it constructs an evaluation index system for rural ecological environment quality from three dimensions: agricultural production, farmers" livelihoods, and rural ecology. Finally, using county-level panel data, this study empirically examines the impact of digital technology application on the rural ecological environment and explores the mediating effect of rural economic growth. The results indicate that: 1) Overall, the application of digital technology significantly improves the rural ecological environment. 2) In terms of mediation effects, rural economic growth plays a crucial intermediary role in the relationship between digital technology and the rural ecological environment. 3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals regional differences in the impact of digital technology. In the eastern region, digital technology has a more pronounced effect on improving the rural ecological environment, whereas its impact in the central and western regions remains less evident. Additionally, across different domains, the application of digital technology in economic activities, governance, and daily life contributes significantly to enhancing the rural ecological environment, with digital infrastructure exhibiting the most substantial environmental benefits in the eastern region. These findings highlight the great potential of digital technology in improving the rural ecological environment. To maximize its benefits, it is essential to continuously advance the transformation of the economic development model and leverage digital technology to drive rural digitalization, intelligent development, and green transition.