John Walker

Community Service Award

About the Award

John Walker was a long-time Executive Vice President of the Society of American Florists (SAF). He served as Secretary of NCTRH from 1976 -1979. He also served on the long-range strategic planning committee for NCTRH.

In 1979, he retired from SAF and no longer served on the board of NCTRH.

The John Walker Community Service Award

  • Recognizes programs for their significant contribution in horticultural therapy services provided to a community.
  • Applauds programs for their leadership in the field, innovative service delivery, and effective public relations.
  • Highlights programs that are involved with, and provide benefit to, the community.
  • Commends program that have an established evaluation process for measuring client progress and program success.
  • Originally the Community Service Award, the Award was officially named the John Walker Community Service Award in 1984 in his honor.
  • In 1976, NCTRH (now AHTA) signed on its first organizational member, The Society of American Florists (SAF).

Award Criteria

Given in recognition of significant contribution in 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 for:

Programs to be recognized shall be distinguished by their leadership in the field for:

  • Effective programming for population served.
  • Innovative patterns for service delivery in program and community.
  • Optimum and imaginative utilization of staff knowledge and skills.
  • Establishment of an evaluation process for measuring client progress and program success.
  • Effective public relations.
  • Involvement with and benefit to the community.

Past Winners

2025: Growing Grounds Enterprises

2024: none awarded

2023: Hope Gardens at Robins Air Force Base

2022: Anne Meore, LMSW, HTR

2021: Jonathan Trauth

2020: Dr Beela G.K

2019: none awarded

2018: none awarded

2017: Mary Frantz

2016: none awarded

2015: none awarded

2014: Kathyy Carroll

2013: none awarded

2012: Brian Bainnsin

2011: ALLIES, Inc Project Grow &MaryAnne McMillan

2010: Catherine Murphy, TALMAR

2009: Birmingham Botanical Garden

2008: Forget Me Not Children’s Services

2007: Tri-Valley Developmental Services

2006: Garden Resources of Washington

2005: none awarded

2004: Dorothy Chapman Fuqua & Skyland Trail

2003: Douglas Schwartz Living Foundation

2002: Master Gardeners, James City County, VA

2001: none awarded