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November 2025 Newsletter

What's included in this month's newsletter



President’s Message: A Time to Reflect, A Time to Grow

November is a season of gathering and reflection—a time when the natural world slows its pace, drawing energy inward to prepare for renewal and growth ahead. In that same spirit, AHTA has been listening closely—through annual conference conversations, the 2025 Membership Survey, Board of Directors Strategic Impact Surveys, and the valuable feedback and inquiries shared during recent ‘Growing Impact’ Youth Wellness Campaign events. 

These touchpoints guide us in understanding how AHTA can continue to evolve—honoring the pioneering spirit of our founding and long-standing members who boldly moved our profession forward and carrying that same spirit with us as we explore new outreach and grow in new directions. To stay vibrant and relevant, AHTA must expand its reach—diversifying our membership, strengthening inclusion, and bringing the healing and restorative benefits of horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture to as many groups and communities as possible at a time when the world’s health and well-being so urgently need this.

As we move forward, AHTA is taking time to give careful thought to all of the information collected and to chart its strategic direction. At a time when our profession can respond to so many global concerns—from public health and mental well-being to community connection and environmental resilience—this is our moment to offer the healing power of our unique profession to the world. Through reflection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to growth, we can develop impactful strategies that ensure AHTA’s path remains purposeful, responsive, and filled with possibility.

November is also a season of coming together—a time to pause, reflect, and reconnect as a community. Just as the first Thanksgiving brought people together in their differences to share a common table, we too are reminded that our greatest strength lies in our unity. This season reminds us that collective strength and personal reflection go hand in hand—growth happens both within ourselves and through the connections we share. In the words of a 2025 ‘Growing Impact’ Youth Campaign participant, “Taking time to simply be and think strengthens how I grow in the future.” May we all find that same quiet space for renewal as we nurture one another and move forward together in shared purpose.

With gratitude,

Kelly Warnick, HTR, JD

President, American Horticultural Therapy Association

News and Events 

🌿 Save the Date — AHTA 2026 Annual Conference Coming to Beautiful San Francisco!

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that the 2026 AHTA Annual Conference will be held in person — and in one of the most stunning and inspiring locations around: San Francisco, California!

Our dedicated Conference Work Team is already hard at work dreaming up and planning an unforgettable experience. Expect wonderful tours, hands-on workshops, interactive events, and educational sessions that highlight the incredible diversity of horticultural therapy programs and gardens throughout the Bay Area. From lush botanical spaces to innovative community projects, we can’t wait to share it all with you.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas, suggestions, or would like to join the work team, we’d be delighted to have your creativity and perspective on board.
📧 Email aprilellislcsw@gmail.com to connect and get involved.

And now’s the perfect time to start thinking about how you might contribute to the conference. What story, research, or program do you want to share with the horticultural therapy world? Our Request for Proposals will be coming out in December, so start jotting down those presentation ideas!

We can’t wait to gather, learn, and grow together — in the gardens and green spaces of San Francisco! 🌸

AHTA 2025 Annual Membership Meeting

AHTA had its 2025 Annual Membership Meeting on October 10, 2025 as part of our 2025 virtual conference “Nurturing Community: Planting the Seeds of our Future”. Another fabulous year for AHTA moving forward! All members can see the updates here:

Honorary Award for Laura DePrado HTR, Celebrating Horticultural Therapy!

AHTA member Laura DePrado, B.S. HTR, Founder, CEO, Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC, New Jersey, is the recipient of the 2025 Steve Kalafer Community Leadership Award at The Adult Day Center of Somerset County’s Fourteenth Annual Generations Gala, held on October 28, 2025.

This prestigious award recognizes individuals who exemplify exceptional leadership, dedication, and service to the Somerset County community—qualities that have long defined DePrado’s work and advocacy. DePrado has enriched countless lives regionally and statewide through pioneering contributions in horticultural therapy programs that connect people, plants, and purpose.

The Steve Kalafer Community Leadership Award was established to honor the late business and community leader Steve Kalafer, whose impact continues to inspire civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. 

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Edward D. Wengryn presented Laura DePrado with the Award at the Palace of Somerset where 200 attendees celebrated including Legislators, the New Jersey Nursery Landscape Association, the New Jersey Farm Bureau, the New Jersey Agricultural Society, and Growers.

https://members.scbp.org/news/Details/scbp-s-laura-deprado-recognized-for-outstanding-community-leadership-296086

https://youtu.be/-uVHDfmW3aA

Have a success story to share? Send the great news to info@ahta.org for our newsletter posting! Your stories inspire others and help in the advancement of horticultural therapy!

News about the International Symposium on Nature-based Interventions and Public Health 

By Binxia Xue, HTR

The 2025 International Symposium on Nature-based Interventions and Public Health was successfully held at the School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology in China from October 16th to 18th, 2025. The conference focused on the core theme of "Interdisciplinary Integration for Nature-based Health Promotion", covering the cutting-edge fields such as the mechanism of natural healing factors, evidence-based design and efficacy evaluation, innovative technologies for healing environments, and interdisciplinary collaborative pathways in this area. The symposium was planned, organized and initiated by two registered horticultural therapists (HTRs) from the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), Binxia Xue and Tongyu Li, associate professors from the School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology, China. Currently, Binxia Xue also serves on the AHTA Board of Directors.

More than 100 experts, scholars, and teachers from over 30 universities and research institutes from 13 countries including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Yemen, Tanzania, as well as Hong Kong, China, attended the conference. They shared and discussed the cutting-edge perspectives, aiming to solve the key problems in disciplinary integration, clarify future research directions, and provide theoretical support and practical references for the promotion of the "Healthy China" strategy. 

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Countdown to the HT-BC certification exam!

The countdown to the certification exam for the HT-BC credential has started! The American Horticultural Therapy Association is pleased to announce the launching of the first credentialing exam for the Horticultural Therapist-Board Certified HT-BC to happen one year from now in October 2026! While some details are still being finalized, we want to keep our members informed and share what you can expect as this important credentialing process moves forward.

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 requirements for education, professional experience, and the successful completion of a comprehensive examination. Certification is different than certificates. A certificate is for competition of an educational course, such as one from the AHTA accredited HT programs. Certification is a formal process of evaluation overseen by a professional body, involving testing, eligibility criteria and ethical guidelines. A certificate does not equate professional certification.

The exam, currently in development, is based on six key domains identified through the large-scale Job Task Analysis of 2022 involving input from the horticultural therapy community. These domains are:

1. Horticulture
2. Treatment Planning
3. Program Planning and Activity Design
4. Managing Human Resources
5. Business Practices, Safety, and Ethics
6. Professionalism and Scholarship

Who is the Certification for?

The certification—the Horticultural Therapist–Board Certified (HT–BC)—is designed for individuals seeking to be recognized as credentialed horticultural therapists. It is expected that HT–BC will eventually replace the current HTR designation as the primary credential in the field.

Why Certification Matters for Horticultural Therapists

Professional Credibility: Qualifying professionals with verified expertise!                                                     

Standardization of Practice: Ensures best practices and ethical guidelines!

Demonstrating Expertise and Skill Development: Combining knowledge, skills, and experience with continuing education!

Increased Public and Industry Recognition: Certification is the industry standard building a stronger professional community advocating for the field!

Continuing Education and Growth: Ongoing educational requirements ensuring professionals stay up to date with the latest research, techniques and advancements in the field! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen to the HTR designation? AHTA will stop accepting new HTR applications approximately three months before the launch of the certification exam on July 1,2026. After that, all new applicants will apply for the HT–BC certification. AHTA will continue to honor current HTRs and HTMs who may continue to use their designation. Those who wish to obtain the HT–BC credential may take the certification exam, but it is not mandatory.

Will this affect the THP designation? No. The certification exam is not expected to be required for Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner (THP) applications. The THP designation will remain unchanged.

How do I know if I’m eligible to sit for the certification exam? Eligibility requirements will include specific education and experience criteria similar to what AHTA has in place for the HTR with an additional pathway for those already certified or licensed in an allied profession. This will be published well in advance of the exam launch. These will align with national standards for professional certification.

Will there be study materials or prep courses for the exam? AHTA plans to provide recommended resources, sample examination questions and some guidance on the examination. The exam will be based on what practitioners are expected to know so applicants’ education and training should be the best preparation.

How long is the certification valid, and what is required for renewal? The certification is expected to be valid for five years. To maintain certification, individuals will be required to complete continuing education and/or demonstrate ongoing professional activity, as defined in the recertification guidelines.

Stay tuned for more information regarding eligibility requirements, exam handbook, CE requirements and more to be posted on our website later this year!

Earn CEs from NCTRC - AHTA 2025 Virtual Conference is Pre-approved!

We’re excited to announce that the AHTA 2025 Annual Conference has been pre-approved for continuing education (CE) credit by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Whether you're maintaining your certification or expanding your professional knowledge, this year’s conference offers high-quality, relevant content designed to support your growth as a therapeutic horticulture professional

A Spotlight: ‘Growing Impact’ Youth Wellness Campaign

“Many Paths Lead to Growth: Lessons from the Spider Plant”

As part of AHTA’s ‘Growing Impact’ Youth Wellness Campaign, students recently participated in a hands-on therapeutic horticulture experience centered around the humble yet extraordinary spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum. Through its cascading stems and tiny “pups,” the students discovered a powerful metaphor for life while propagating the plant: that there are many ways to grow.

Each spider pup pushed out roots under different environmental conditions, illustrating its natural adaptability and tolerance to diverse growth settings. One developed roots in a water environment, one took hold in soil on its own, and another rooted in soil while still connected to the parent plant, ready to grow independently when the time comes. Together, these pups demonstrated that there are many paths to growth. Some found resilience by standing on their own, while another flourished through connection – each discovering its own way to take root and thrive.  

This lesson felt especially meaningful in today’s fast-paced and uncertain world. As students prepare to navigate their own journeys through education and beyond, the spider pups’ examples remind us that growth is not defined by one way forward—it’s about adaptability, patience, and finding nourishment wherever life takes us. 

Students reflected on their personal journeys toward greater self-reliance and confidence when encountering new environments. Each transition into a new chapter of life may look different, and yet these diverse paths add depth and richness to life’s overall experience.  



The ‘Growing Impact’ Youth Wellness Campaign continues to engage youth through plant-based learning, connection, and reflection—helping the next generation discover the many paths that lead to well-being and purpose. 

 Spice Painting – Leaves

 Activity provided by Mikkele Lawless HT, CDP, MCMG

 from the Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Therapy Network (MAHTN).

Click here for full activity. 

1.  Pour out spices into individual small bowls (About 1 tsp. each) and have residents smell them. See if they can identify them and ask if they bring up any memories of baking, seasons, holidays etc.
2. Measure 1 - 2 teaspoons of oil and pour into each bowl with spice. Mix with paintbrush.
3. Let sit for a few minutes and enjoy the scents.
4. Decide if you would like to paint an entire coloring page (below) or paint and then cut out individual leaves. Individual leaves can be hung in the arbor or used to create a garland (holes punched in leaves and strung on to twine). Have residents pick a leaf they would like to color and encourage them to use all of the different colors of spice paint.
5. Read the info. sheet to find out all about the spices we are using!
   

•  Focus on having participants use their sense of smell. If they cannot smell, ask them if they have ever tasted the spice or ingredient, if they have ever used it in cooking/baking or what they may make with these ingredients.
• Scents help to stimulate memories. Encourage participants to tell stories that may come up.
• Give participants choices. Would they like to color an entire page? Would they like to color one leaf and then cut it out with scissors? Would they like to make their own leaf or shape on a blank piece of paper?
• Assist as minimally as possible and let the participant work to their own ability.
• Use the particular strengths of the participant allowing them to be successful in the activity so they can feel empowered.
• Participants with motor skill deficiencies or lower vision may need hand under hand assistance. You can also allow them to hold your wrist as you mix the ingredients or paint the leaves.

Updates from AHTA

•  The AHTA Code of Ethics was updated to align with professional standards effective March 1, 2025! For more information Here
• The THP Verification of Work Experience form has been updated expanding the direct client services to include direct client hours, documentation, program planning/preparation, client meetings, supervision meetings and non-supervision meetings!
• The HTR Verification of Work Experience has been updated to requiring the equivalent of 1,500 hours work experience as an employee or independent contractor, supervised by either a HTR or general supervisor who can validate the horticultural therapy services provided.

HTR Internship Sites and Intern Supervisors Information Updates

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.

AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture

AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture 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! 

Supporting AHTA

Your generous support makes it possible for our organization to grow and thrive. Your contributions help keep us going, including helping with the expenses of our annual conference, increasing our ability to work toward credentialing, offsetting the cost of our journal and other outreach publications, and connecting to colleges and universities, facilities, prisons, hospitals, and agencies that support the profession of horticultural therapy. Our 2025 Partnership Guide is now available!

In keeping with the forward growth of AHTA, we have redesigned our 2025 Partnership Guide to include new “á la carte” sponsorship opportunities! These options can be selected independently of AHTA sponsorship packages or added to enhance them. The goal is to offer sponsors greater flexibility in shaping their partnership opportunities to better align with their specific needs and objectives, resulting in a more tailored and impactful collaboration. Sign up to become a sponsor today! Your support fuels our mission to continue advancing the development of horticultural therapy and making an impact nationally and worldwide. 

AHTA HTR Database Search Option

AHTA HTR Database Search Option AHTA has a Horticultural TherapistRegistered(HTR) Directory feature on our website. This feature allows companies or the general public to search for HTRs near them. The beneHts for HTRs may include employment, consultation work, presentation /information sharing opportunities, advocacy for the profession of horticultural therapy and more!

Become a Member

Not a member of AHTA? Join today! AHTA's membership is comprised of Individuals who are passionate about the unique beneHts 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 beneHts include free webinars and free article processing fees for the AHTA Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture! Another two new reasons to join!