AHTA June 2026 Newsletter


President's Message	News & Events	Horticultural Therapy Certification	HT Activity	Sponsorship

I recently had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco and experience many of the venues that will be part of this year’s AHTA Annual Conference. As we explored the gardens, landscapes, and gathering spaces that will host our time together, I found myself reflecting on the values and standards that shape our profession and the lives transformed through the power of plants and nature.

Among the experiences that make this conference so distinctive is the opportunity to spend time among the towering redwoods. Standing beneath these extraordinary trees, it is difficult not to be humbled by their scale, age, and presence. Though each tree stands independently, redwoods thrive through interconnected root systems that provide stability and support to one another. They offer a reminder that some of the strongest and most enduring systems are built through connection.

Another story emerges at the Gardens of Alcatraz. Among the factual accounts shared is that of an individual living within the prison system who found a renewed sense of purpose, responsibility, and personal transformation through working with plants and cultivating gardens as part of his daily incarceration routine. His story reflects what many of us have witnessed throughout our profession—the ability of plants and gardens to foster growth, purpose, and dignity, particularly in the most challenging of circumstances.

Another highly anticipated aspect of this conference is the closing circle of the Annual Conference which will take place in the deeply meaningful National AIDS Memorial Grove. Tucked within Golden Gate Park, the Grove is a place of connection, reflection, healing, and community. It is a sacred space that honors lives lost while embracing the power of remembrance, community, and place.

This Grove bears the imprint of Clare Cooper Marcus, an honorary lifetime member of AHTA and a true giant in the field of therapeutic garden design. Clare, who passed away earlier this year, was involved in the planning of the AIDS Memorial Grove. Throughout her life’s work, Clare transformed the way we think about the relationship between people, thoughtfully designed green space, and healing. As we gather in the Grove to close our conference, we do so with deep gratitude for her contributions to our professional field. There is something particularly meaningful about gathering together in a setting that honors her legacy while surrounded by a living expression of her work.

I am excited to see as many of you as possible this October in San Francisco. I hope you will join us for what promises to be a truly unique opportunity to learn, connect, reflect, and share in an experience that speaks so powerfully to the work we do and the profession we continue to build together.

Registration Opens May 1

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable gathering in San Francisco!

The American Horticultural Therapy Association is thrilled to announce the 2026 Annual Conference, taking place October 15–18, 2026 in San Francisco. This year’s theme, “Thriving in the Grove: Building Resilience through Horticultural Therapy,” reflects the power of plants, people, and place to foster healing and growth. And as the song reminds us—if you’re heading to San Francisco, don’t forget to wear some flowers in your hair.

The conference kicks off Thursday, October 15 with an opening evening reception and Moth-style story hour. Friday, October 16 will be held at the SF Marriott and features a keynote by Jennifer Jewell, along with presentations and a special Plants & Paws experience.

On Saturday, October 17, we move to the breathtaking San Francisco Botanical Garden for a full day of workshops, presentations, internship and supervisor connections, and a Board Certification extravaganza—culminating in a closing circle at the meaningful AIDS Memorial Redwood Grove.

The conference concludes Sunday, October 18 with a unique opportunity to visit Alcatraz Island, featuring presentations and tours of its five historic gardens.

Start planning now for an unforgettable gathering of community, learning, and inspiration.

Even better, Early Bird pricing is now in effect, making this the perfect time to register. Special rates are available for members, non-members, and student members. Attend the entire conference experience or join us just for Saturday—there's an option for everyone.

The conference kicks off Thursday evening with an unforgettable Welcome Reception featuring Moth-Up Storytelling, where members of our community will share moving, inspiring, and often humorous stories from the field.

Friday brings a full day of exceptional learning, including presentations, panels, posters, networking opportunities, and even Plants & Paws, our therapy dog experience!

Saturday takes us to the stunning San Francisco Botanical Garden for a truly immersive day.

Highlights include:

Hands-on workshops
Face time with horticultural therapy certificate programs
An Internship & Supervisor Connection and Education Lounge
The Resilience Lab
An interactive exhibit celebrating the launch of the new HT-BC Board Certification
Networking, exploration, and inspiration in one of the country's most beautiful botanical settings

We'll conclude the conference with a heartfelt closing ceremony in the historic AIDS Memorial Grove, providing a meaningful opportunity to reflect, connect, and celebrate our profession together.

We are beginning to spotlight our incredible presenters, panelists, and poster presenters. Be sure to visit the conference website and follow AHTA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to meet the speakers and explore the exciting program taking shape.

Whether you're a student, practitioner, educator, researcher, supervisor, or simply passionate about horticultural therapy, this conference promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Register today! Early Bird pricing won't last forever, and hotel and travel costs only tend to increase as October approaches. Be sure to reserve your conference registration, hotel room (at our special conference rate), and travel arrangements in June.

We can't wait to see you in San Francisco. This truly will be the place to be!

Award winning author and podcast host, Jennifer Jewell will be joining us in San Francisco! Jennifer will serve as our keynote speaker and participate in several additional activities at the October event. Stay tuned for conference registration details.

Jennifer Jewell is the host of the national award-winning weekly public radio program and podcast Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden. The author of The Earth in Her Hands, 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants, Under Western Skies, Visionary Gardens and What We Sow: On the Personal, Ecological, and Cultural Significance of Seeds.

Jewell’s greatest passion is elevating the way we think and talk about gardening, the empowerment of gardeners, and the possibility inherent in the intersection between places, environments, cultures, individuals, and the gardens that bring them together beautifully–for the better of all the lives on this generous planet. Cultivating Place has several times been recognized by Garden Communicators International as Best On-Air Talent and Best Overall Broadcast Media.

In 2021, The Earth in Her Hands was honored by the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries with their Award for Excellence in Biography, and Under Western Skies received a Golden Poppy winner for the Glenn Goldman award from the California Alliance of Independent Booksellers. The members of CALIBA present The Golden Poppy Book Awards to recognize the most distinguished books written by writers and artists who make California their home.

As summer begins, the Membership Work Team is excited to share several updates and opportunities for our AHTA community.

Membership Webpage Updates

We are pleased to announce that the AHTA Membership webpage has been refreshed with updated information about member benefits, professional development opportunities, networking resources, and pathways to engagement within the association. Whether you are a longtime member or a new professional, we encourage you to visit the membership page and explore everything AHTA has to offer.

Introducing the New Student Membership Section

We are also excited to launch the new Student Membership section, a dedicated space designed to support students pursuing careers in horticultural therapy and related fields. This new resource hub provides information on educational pathways, internships, networking opportunities, professional development, mentorship, and ways to become involved within AHTA.

Students are an important part of the future of our profession, and we are committed to supporting the next generation of horticultural therapy practitioners. We look forward to continuing to expand resources that foster student engagement, professional growth, and connection within the AHTA community.

June Awareness and Recognition

June is a month that highlights many important communities, experiences, and causes. Among the observances recognized this month are:

National PTSD Awareness Month
National Immigrant Heritage Month
Pride Month

These observances remind us of the diverse individuals and communities served by horticultural therapists across the country. Horticultural therapy has the unique ability to create spaces of healing, belonging, resilience, and connection through meaningful engagement with plants and nature.

To all of our members who work with, advocate for, and are part of these communities, thank you for the compassion, expertise, and dedication you bring to your work every day.

Warm regards,

The AHTA Membership Work Team

The countdown to the certification exam for the Horticultural Therapist–Board Certified (HT–BC) credential continues. The American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) is pleased to have announced the launch of its first professional credentialing exam, scheduled to take place 4 months from now — in October 2026.

Launching in Fall 2026, the Horticultural Therapist- Board Certified (HT-BC) credential will set the gold standard for excellence in horticultural therapy. Developed in partnership with psychometric experts and grounded in comprehensive Job Task Analysis, this certification validates real-world competence and elevates professional credibility across the field.

While some details are still being finalized, we want to keep our community informed and share what you can expect as this important credentialing process takes shape. It should be noted:

Applications for the HTR will stop being accepted July 1, 2026
Applications for the HT-BC will start being accepted July 1, 2026
Exam Handbook to be ready for review August 1, 2026
First HT-BC exam window is October 31 through November 14, 2026.
“Credentialing the Profession of Horticultural Therapy” recording of webinar is now available on the AHTA website home page www.ahta.org !
There will be 2 community meetings for those who watch the webinar on credentialing and have questions. Dates are tentative for late July and early September- stay tuned!

🍃 What is the AHTA Certification?

The AHTA Certification is a formal recognition that an individual has met established professional standards in horticultural therapy. It assures employers, clients, and the public that certified professionals possess the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to practice effectively and ethically.

The certification process includes: - Defined education requirements - Verified professional experience - Successful completion of a comprehensive examination

Certification vs Certificate - A certificate is awarded upon completion of an educational program (e.g., AHTA-accredited horticultural therapy courses) - Certification is a formal, third-party evaluation process that includes eligibility requirements, testing, and ethical standards.
✅ A certificate does not equate to professional certification

🌱 Exam Content: Core Domains

The HT–BC examination is based on six key professional domains identified through the large-scale 2022 Job Task Analysis:

Horticulture
Treatment Planning
Program Planning & Activity Design
Managing Human Resources
Business Practices, Safety & Ethics
Professionalism & Scholarship

These domains reflect the essential knowledge areas for effective horticultural therapy practice.

🌼 Who is this Certification For?

The Horticultural Therapist–Board Certified (HT–BC) credential is designed for individuals seeking formal recognition as professional horticultural therapists.

It is expected that the HT–BC will eventually replace the current HTR designation as the primary credential in the field.

🌳 Why Certification Matters

Certification supports both individual professionals and the field as a whole:

Professional Credibility – Verifies expertise and ethical practice
Standardized Practice – Aligns professionals with best-practice guidelines
Demonstrated Competence – Combines education, skill development, and experience
Stronger Recognition – Builds public awareness and professional identity
Ongoing Growth – Requires continued learning and engagement

Together, certification strengthens the roots of horticultural therapy for future generations.

🌷 Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen to the HTR designation? AHTA will stop accepting new HTR applications approximately three months before the HT–BC exam launch (anticipated July 1, 2026). Current HTRs and HTMs may continue using their designations. The HT–BC credential is optional for existing professionals, but will be required for new applicants after that point.

Will this affect the THP designation? No. The Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner (THP) designation will remain unchanged.

How do I know if I’m eligible for the HT–BC exam?
Eligibility will include education and experience criteria like HTR requirements, with an additional pathway for those in allied professions. These pathways align with national standards for professional certification. Specific eligibility info: https://www.ahta.org/board-certification

Will there be study materials or prep courses for the exam? AHTA will provide an Exam Handbook with recommended resources, sample questions, and guidance to be ready before August 1. The exam will be based on what qualified practitioners are expected to know through training and experience.

How long is the certification valid?
The HT–BC is expected to be valid for five years. Renewal will include continuing education and ongoing professional activity.

🍂 Stay Connected

More information regarding: - Eligibility requirements - The exam handbook - Continuing education expectations - Application timelines

…will be announced later this year. We encourage members to regularly visit the AHTA website for updates. https://www.ahta.org/certification

Thank you for being a vital part of the growing field of horticultural therapy.

Step into unique signature experiences at the AHTA Annual Conference. Each experience is purposefully designed to engage attendees and carry forward into practice long after the conference ends. Sponsor or collaborate to bring these experiences—and their impact—to life!

Explore AHTA’s 2026 Annual Conference Signature Experiences: Plants & Paws, Pioneers & Pathways, and the Resilience Lab. Visit AHTA’s website and access our AHTA Annual Conference Partnership & Sponsorship Guide here.

Activity: Make a unique seed pack to hold saved seeds from the garden.

Overview:

When we grow a lot of herbs, flowers and vegetables in garden spaces we create valuable opportunities to learn about the lifecycle of plants. Inevitably, that also means we end up with lots of seeds to save!

What can we do with all those seeds? This activity provides a hands-on project to prepare seed packs for saved seeds. Participants will have the opportunity to color a sketched design of the plant and complete the seed packet with the unique image and printed planting instructions. This gives participants a chance to examine a variety of seeds, connect the concept of where seeds come from to the plants that grow from them, and to learn about the best ways to plant and care for seeds. Seed packs can be used for future garden projects, or they can be given away as gifts or for program promotion.

Examples:

It’s helpful for the facilitator to have examples of purchased seed envelopes that show an image of the plant that will grow on the front and directions for growing the seeds on the back. In addition, have an example of a completed “make your own” seed pack to demonstrate the steps of the activity, and images or real examples of the plant that you are highlighting for the activity.

Materials:

seeds of the identified plant
coin envelopes (3x5 size provides plenty of space to design on)
colored marking pens or colored pencils (I prefer colored pencils for this)
glue sticks
scissors for trimming as needed
printed images of the identified plant when it is at its harvest or flowering phase (a sketch or drawing that can be colored in)
photo images or real examples of the plant that you are highlighting
printed instructions for seed germination and care, printed and trimmed to fit the back of the envelope

Task steps:

Step 1: Look at the purchased seed pack examples. What do you identify? What important information is on a seed pack?

Step 2: Look at images of the plant that will grow from the seeds you have. Explore the seeds and images (or real examples) of the mature plant or flower.

Step 3: Color in the printed image that is provided. How does your image look like the picture of the plant? How is it different?

Step 4: Paste your colored image to the front of the seed envelope.

Step 5: Paste the directions for planting on the back side of the envelope.

Step 6: Using a spoon or your fingers place the desired amount/number of seeds into the seed pack and seal the envelope when you’re done!

Discussion points for participants:

Why do plants make seeds?
What do you like about this activity?
What can we do with our saved seeds?
When do you think these seeds can be planted?

Skills development:

Sensory stimulation: Participants have an opportunity to exploration the tactile and visual sensations of how the seeds feel. Some seeds can even make sounds for auditory sensory engagement!

Fine motor skills: The activity includes pasting, gluing, coloring and scooping, all of which can be used to practice or develop fine motor skills.

Cognitive: Participants can be encouraged to practice names of plants and education can be provided for cognitive stimulation. The activity also involves following a sequence of instructions.

Social-emotional: Participants can socialize with peers and share their experience. They can give their seed pack as a gift to give, which can provide a positive sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.

Special notes: The type of seeds that you will use for this activity will depend on your growing region and availability. Larger seeds like beans, peas and cilantro might be easier for some participants to work with. At Karen’s school in Southern California, the seeds that they love to save include cilantro (coriander), parsley, calendula, hollyhock, zinnia, bachelor buttons (corn flower), many bean varieties, sweet peas, and snap peas!

Karen does a great deal of growing and saving seeds with her students at the Vista Del Mar School in Los Angeles. Come meet Karen, and make your own seed pack at the AHTA Conference in October! Completed seed packs made by her students will be available for you to take home!

AHTA receives numerous requests for information from students in Horticultural Therapy educational programs and applicants for the Horticultural Therapist – Registered regarding the internship requirements for registration. A list of internship sites that meet the requirements for HTR internships, as well as the list of approved Intern Supervisors, are available on the AHTA website . We ask for your help to update those lists.

If you are part of a program that is currently on the list of Intern Sites, AHTA members please check your program and contact information on the AHTA website Internship Sites. If you need to make updates, contact the AHTA office at info@ahta.org .

If you know of a program that is already hosting HTR interns and is not listed, or you are part of a program that would like to be listed as an internship site, please go to the Internship Site Questionnaire on the Horticultural Therapy Internship webpage, under the Professional Registration tab. If you have been a HTR for at least 1 year and would like to be listed on the website as an Intern Supervisor, please complete the application at Intern Supervisor Application.

If you have any questions, please contact the AHTA OFFICE.

The AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture had been approved for the OpenAccess Model and is now available on Google Scholar. Did you know that you can access the copies of the AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture by going to Google Scholar, putting in the “AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture” in the search window and to narrow down your search add the volume number from the AHTA list of Journal. Click HERE to learn more. While considering publishing in the AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture consider that as members of AHTA there is no charge for the Article Processing Charge (APC) while nonmembers pay $300. Another great way to become a member! Hoping to see more submissions that will go out to all!

Not a member of AHTA? Join today! AHTA's membership is comprised of Individuals who are passionate about the unique benefits of horticultural therapy as a therapeutic modality. Members are committed to the growth of the profession. Membership in the AHTA will keep you up to date on the latest in horticultural therapy news, as well as give you access to outstanding educational and networking opportunities.

Did you know? AHTA members benefits include free webinars and free article processing fees for the AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture! Another two new reasons to join!

June 2026 Newsletter

What's Included in This Month's Newsletter

President’s Message: More Than a Destination

Registration Opens May 1

The Place to Be This October: AHTA's 2026 Annual Conference!

2026 AHTA Conference Keynote Speaker | Jennifer Jewell

AHTA June Membership Update

Webinar Work Team- Looking for Speakers

Spread the Word: Share Your HT Events with AHTA

🌿 Countdown to the HT–BC Certification Exam

Cultivating the future of horticultural therapy — together

Make Your Own Seed Packs

Quick Links