Recognition where it's due

To further its mission to promote and advance the practice of horticultural therapy as a therapeutic intervention and rehabilitative modality, AHTA sponsors an annual awards program to recognize the contributions of individuals whose personal initiative and achievement define outstanding performance in the field. By nominating deserving colleagues, AHTA members are direct participants in broadening awareness and acceptance of the practice and elevating the field’s stature, both as an accepted rehabilitative modality and as a profession.

AHTA awards honor excellence in: humanitarian service; publication of a book, paper, or research; HT program services delivered in a community setting; therapeutic garden design; and academic achievement. Awards are presented at the AHTA Annual Conference held each fall.

 

AHTA Annual Awards

Alice Burlingame Humanitarian Service Award

Awarded to an individual or organization that has given freely of their time, talent, and energy with special significance for horticultural therapy on a local, state, or national level.

2012 Recipient: Mrs. Pat Buehler Blankenship and the Buehler Family Foundation

Ann Lane Mavromatis Scholarship

A $500 scholarship awarded to recognize academic achievement and to promote growth of professionalism in the field of horticultural therapy.

Awarded to: Hsuan Yun Chang

Charles A. Lewis Excellence in Research Award

Established in memory of Charlie Lewis, a horticulturalist whose enthusiastic efforts to make the natural world accessible to all were an inspiration to everyone who knew him. The award honors outstanding research in the field of horticultural therapy, in the belief that evidence-based research demonstrating the effectiveness of HT is critical.

2012 Recipients: Justin F. Wilson and Keith M. Christensen for their article "The Relationship Between Gardening and Depression Among Individuals with Disabilities,"  published in the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture XXI

John Walker Community Service Award

Awarded in recognition of significant contribution to horticultural therapy in the area of program services provided for a community.

2012 Recipient: Brian Bainnson, PAL, ASLA, CLARB

Publication Award

Awarded in recognition of an outstanding book, paper, or research authored or co-authored by member(s) of the AHTA who have conceived, designed, evaluated, or reported innovative or significant developments in horticultural therapy.

2012 Recipient:  Patty Cassidy, MA, HTR for her book The Illustrated Practical Guide to Gardening for Seniors

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.

2012 Recipient: Hilda Krus, MSW, HTR

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.

2012 Recipient: Veterans Honor Center Gardens at the Gainesville VA Domiciliary, Florida

Click here to see a list of past award recipients.

The deadline for nominations is published yearly and falls in the summer. Nominees must be current AHTA members; however, it is not necessary to be an AHTA member to nominate someone. Nomination forms for the respective awards can be downloaded below.

Alice Burlinghame Award Form

Ann Lane Scholarship Form

Charles A. Lewis Award Form

John Walker Community Service Award Form

Publication Award Form

Rhea McCandliss Award Form

Therapeutic Garden Design Award Form