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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! 🌸

Virtual Book Club - Members Only

Join us on Thursday, November 6 at 7 pm EST for the next AHTA members online book club. We will be discussing The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature, written by psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author Sue Stuart-Smith. This book takes a deep dive into the strong connections between gardening and mental health. The author includes many compelling anecdotes, and she is a master of metaphors.

Let’s discuss!

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 Season of Growth and Gratitude – From the AHTA Sponsorship Team

We always look forward to this time of year when the AHTA Annual Conference energizes our member community and inspires new growth, new ideas, and new paths forward! With keynote speaker Richard Louv as an energizing force, this year’s conference calls us to reaffirm our bond with nature, our shared purpose, and with one another – reminding us why our work continues to matter so deeply. We extend gratitude to our 2025 AHTA Conference Sponsors, Horticultural Therapy Institute and University of Florida, whose support grows this shared momentum.

We’re also inspired by the meaningful response to the ‘Growing Impact’ Youth Wellness Campaign, which has taken root thanks to the collaboration and creativity of so many. What began as an idea continues to expand—empowering youth to discover resilience, wellness, and connection through the transformative power of plants and thoughtfully designed green spaces and programming. In the process, many AHTA professionals and collaborative partners are finding themselves renewed—connecting and growing together in a shared mission to cultivate well-being and hope through horticulture.

A special thank-you to Ball Horticultural Company (2025 Youth Campaign Sponsor) and Rhea & Kaiser (2025 Youth Campaign Contributor), for their investment in the lives of young people and their belief in horticulture as a catalyst for growth and healing. 

We also recognize the many supportive organizations and professional allies whose collaborations with AHTA this year have strengthened the national conversation around youth wellness, horticultural therapy, and therapeutic horticulture.  

Caption: At the Portland Memory Garden on Grandparents Day, generations connected through the simple joy of touch, scent, and color – discovering how plants and people together nurture memory, wellness, and belonging. Part of AHTA’s Generations in Bloom Spotlight Series within the ‘Growing Impact’ Youth Wellness Campaign. 

Spooky Succulent Gardens

By Joanna Brown, 

From Florida Horticulture for Health Network

Excerpted from University of Florida Therapeutic Horticulture Activities Database 2025. For complete activity click here 

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Participants will create individual mini-Halloween-themed succulent gardens.

APPLICATIONS FOR POPULATIONS: Spooky Succulents activity offers a delightful escape into nature’s wonders of resilient succulents with a Halloween twist. This activity was designed specifically for botanic garden settings and for all ages; 2 years and up. It is a simple yet effective wellness activity that is easily adaptable to accommodate larger numbers of participants and requires minimal direction, the ideal combination for delivering wellness TH in an outdoor public garden. 

This activity can incorporate multiple therapeutic goals including a variety of emotional/psychological benefits such as embracing the present moment, exercising creativity, reducing stress levels, enhancing mood, and making social connections in a supportive and safe environment. Connections to nature in this outdoor setting - feeling stones, soil, touching plants, breathing fresh air, and dancing (exercising) to Halloween themed music is fun and healthy, where physical therapeutic goals can be incorporated. Refer to THAD Spooky Succulent Gardens for more detail re therapeutic goals. An article “Spooky Succulents: Halloween Market Fun at Vizcaya Village”, published in Sept. 2025 in FLHHN epub Cultivate offers ideas and tips on delivering this type of activity in a public garden setting. 

Materials: Popsicle stick/plant tags, eco-friendly 4” pots, markers/paints/stickers/glue, succulent cuttings or large succulent to propagate from, Halloween party favors, succulent soil, small stones/gravel for decoration, succulent care cards (optional), squirt bottles for watering supervision.

Tips for practice along with step-by-step instructions and safety considerations are available in the THAD version. References cover poisonous plant information, succulent species and Halloween ideas. 

Joanna Brown holds a certificate in horticultural therapy from the Horticultural Therapy Institute and a BA in humanities, social sciences, and environmental studies from the University of Central Florida. She is the founder of Horticulture For Healing, a nonprofit advocating for therapeutic horticulture in less privileged communities, and the owner of Restorative Horticultural Therapy. Joanna specializes in working with clients experiencing substance use and co-occurring disorders and collaborates with organizations related to this diverse population. She is currently pursuing a social work graduate degree at the University of Florida, and continues to be an advisory member of FLHHN.

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!