In the Mandinka language, “mobee” means “all of us”, “everyone”, “every person”. This is what Salifu Manneh, who grew up in Gambia and now lives in England, where he is a mental health nurse, explains to me. I invite you to discover the history of this landlocked country and listen to Salifu tell us about Mobee Gambia. Salifu Manneh at the Brufut garden where Mobee Gambia is based. Together with a number of colleagues, Salifu set up the Mobee Gambia association, whose history and projects he recently told me about. “At the time, I was working for Alternative Futures Group, and its director, Ne ..read more

Making Connections Editor: Christine Capra Program Manager, HT Institute 2024 Spring Newsletter Horticultural Therapy is making an impact on people’s lives. Read more about how it’s happening. HTI Director’s Note: More Excitement About IPPS 2024 By Rebecca Haller, HTM Human Benefits of People Plant Connections Abstracts have been accepted for oral and poster sessions for the upcoming International People Plant Symposium – an exciting time for anticipating the meetings to come. With a full range of subjects, we will explore the human benefits of people the plant connection on July 11-12 in Re ..read more

By Daniela Silva-Rodriquez & Manuela de Szyszlo Note: This article was originally written in Spanish and can be read in the original language here. Groundbreaking Collaboration In 2021 The Pan-American Association for Therapeutic and Social Horticulture (APHTS) was invited to join forces with the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering of Portugal (LNEC) for a groundbreaking collaboration. This partnership was born out of the recognition of a shared mission to explore and expand the realm of nature-based interventions aimed at enhancing health and well-being. As a non-profit organization ..read more

It is undeniable that climate change is wreaking havoc with our mental health. Children and young adults are suffering most acutely. An international survey polled more than 10,000 young adults and teenage students and found over 45% are feeling overwhelmed and hopeless about climate change to the point of interfering with daily life. This same study reports increased distress due to what they perceive as the failure of governments to act against the climate crisis. In other words, teens and young adults are feeling abandoned and invalidated.  Fearing they will inherit a global crisis th ..read more

Mirela Maganha loves what she does! Note: This post was originally written in French, and can be read in French here. The first time I learned about Mirela Maganha was on World Therapeutic Horticulture Day,  the brainchild of Fiona Thackeray which debuted in 2023 (the 2024 version will be held on May 18, by the way). It was this post on LinkedIn that encouraged me to contact Mirela to find out more. I’m delighted to give the floor to this Brazilian pioneer whose sensitivity led her to discover horticultural therapy, even though the discipline is virtually unknown in her country. That did ..read more

Making Connections Editor: Christine Capra Program Manager, HT Institute 2023 Summer Newsletter Horticultural Therapy is making an impact on people’s lives. Read more about how it’s happening. HTI Director’s Note: Reap and Record By Rebecca Haller, HTM Fall is a great time to pause in the garden to enjoy its bounty (although honestly, I think this is a good practice in any season). Shorter daylengths and cooler temperatures generally lead to reduced demands of garden care with prolonged produce and flowers. Take time to enjoy it. Garden activities include gathering, extending the growing se ..read more

Making Connections Editor: Christine Capra Program Manager, HT Institute 2023 Summer Newsletter Horticultural Therapy is making an impact on people’s lives. Read more about how it’s happening. HTI Director’s Note: Nourish By Rebecca Haller, HTM With the garden in full swing, take a breath and enjoy the beauty. Summer is the period to nurture, explore, and reap the bounty. Some important to-dos as the season progresses revolve around noticing the needs of the plants and the people who experience the garden. For the garden of course there is watering and weeding to do. It is not too late to a ..read more

By: Daniela Silva-Rodriguez & Manuela de Szyszlo Note: this blog was originally written in Spanish and can be viewed in its original form here. New Methodology Brings Results Since we started spreading the practice of horticultural therapy (HT) and therapeutic horticulture (TH) in Peru 12 years ago, we have been fortunate to work with a diversity of population groups, including: people with substance abuse in a private rehabilitation clinic; children survivors of burns; children with cancer; the elderly; people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; institutionalized children and adolescents ..read more

As in any profession, staying informed of evidence-based practices, developing trends and industry advancements is the best policy. In our post-pandemic world, so much has changed, especially within therapeutic service disciplines. In the past four years, tremendous change has occurred in how therapy is delivered, who needs therapeutic services and the demand for those services. Many therapeutic practitioners are struggling to meet the upswing in demand. Nationally, over 41% of adults have reported signs and symptoms of stress-related illness. This number is significantly higher with young ad ..read more

Note: the following article was originally written in French, and can be viewed in French here. The first time Frédéric Gabellec left France to explore the world, horticulture was at the heart of the experience from the get-go. With a “Gardening and Green Spaces” diploma in hand, he was keen for an adventure. That’s how he landed in Oregon almost 30 years ago. “I worked for a year in a big nursery on a student visa. It was in the small town of Boring, near Portland and Mount Hood. Growing plants, pest control, shipping, I saw it all from beginning to end. My goal was also to practice English ..read more