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AHTA Annual Awards

Recognizing excellence in horticultural therapy

To further our mission to promote and advance the practice of horticultural therapy, AHTA sponsors an annual awards program to recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations whose personal initiative and achievement define outstanding performance in the field.

AHTA awards and honors excellence in seven areas:

  • Research
  • Humanitarian service
  • Publication of a book, paper, or research
  • Horticultural therapy program services delivered in a community setting
  • Professional service
  • Therapeutic garden design, and
  • Academic achievement.

The AHTA Awards are presented at the AHTA Annual Conference held each fall. It is not necessary to be a member of AHTA to submit a nomination. Please note when nominating, an AHTA member may not be awarded the same award more than once. A member may be awarded a different award in consecutive years. Please read the awards criteria and complete the online nomination application below.

2020 Award nominations are closed.

Charles A. Lewis Excellence in Research Award 
To honor Charles A. Lewis, a pioneer in the field of people-plant interaction and innovative horticultural programs throughout the community.  Given to recognize research scientists who have published outstanding horticultural therapy research in a horticultural or medical journal. This award is to provide an incentive to contribute evidence-based research that demonstrates the effectiveness of horticultural therapy and to increase the awareness of research-based findings supporting the health benefits offered through horticulture. Learn more and submit your nomination
2019 Recipients: Claudia K.Y. Lai, PhD; Connie Y.Y. Fung, MSc; Rick Y.C. Kwan, PhD; Shirley K.L. Lo, MN; Jordan K.H. Lau, BSW; Mimi M.Y. Tse, PhD

AHTA Therapeutic Garden Design Awards

Awarded for the purpose of identifying and publicizing excellence in therapeutic design and programming to existing gardens and landscapes designed and maintained for therapeutic purposes. The document AHTA Therapeutic Garden Characteristics provides the basis for this award. Use this PDF application to review prior to submitting the online form, or complete and submit to [email protected].
2019 Recipient: Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital

AHTA Publication Award

Awarded in recognition of an outstanding book, paper, or research authored or co-authored by members of AHTA who have conceived, designed, evaluated, or reported innovative or significant developments in horticultural therapy. “Research” as applied to this award is broadly interpreted to include any area of inquiry related to horticultural therapy. Use this PDF application to review prior to submitting the online form, or complete and submit to [email protected].
2019 Recipient: Genevieve Layman, HTR

Honorable Mention: Rebecca Haller, HTM; Christine Capra; Karen Kennedy, HTR

Ann Lane Mavromatis Scholarship
This $500 scholarship is awarded annually to a student member of AHTA in recognition of academic achievement and to promote the growth of professionalism in the field of horticultural therapy. The scholarship recipient’s registration fees for the annual meeting will be waived by the AHTA and she/he will be granted two nights lodging for the annual meeting. Use this PDF application to review prior to submitting the online form, or complete and submit to [email protected].

Alice Burlingame Humanitarian Service Award
Awarded to an organization or individual who has given freely of their time, talent, and energy with special significance for horticultural therapy on a local, state or national level. Outstanding voluntary contribution to an organization or program need not necessarily be made in the year in which the nomination is made. Use this PDF application to review prior to submitting the online form, or complete and submit to [email protected].

John Walker Community Service Award
Awarded in recognition of significant contribution to horticultural therapy in the area of program services provided to a community. Programs to be recognized shall be distinguished by their leadership in the field, innovative service delivery, and effective public relations. Use this PDF application to review prior to submitting the online form, or complete and submit to [email protected].

Rhea McCandliss Professional Service Award
Awarded to a registered member (HTM, HTR, or HTA) of the AHTA in recognition of significant contribution to the field of horticultural therapy characterized by distinctive service in the promotion, organization, and development of horticultural therapy programs or for an original or unusual contribution affecting the philosophy or practice of horticultural therapy. Use this PDF application to review prior to submitting the online form, or complete and submit to [email protected].
2019 Recipient: Alee Karpf, HTR, CTRS

Submission Instructions

You may submit your nomination through one of two ways.

  1. Access either the self-nomination online form or the online form to nominate others. Please note that the online form cannot save data; you will need to be prepared to answer all questions and submit necessary documentation in one sitting. If you prefer to submit via the online form, it is recommended that you first review the PDF application for the appropriate award. If you would like to submit for more than one award, you may use the same application, however, it is recommended that you submit a new application for each award.

  2. You may download the PDF application for your award and submit with supplemental documents to [email protected].

If you have any questions about the submission process, please contact the AHTA office.