Horticultural Therapy Week: March 17-23, 2002

Horticultural Therapy Week: March 17-23, 2002

The Chesapeake Chapter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association is organizing the first annual Horticultural Therapy Week to increase public awareness of the profession of Horticultural Therapy as a means of helping and healing all populations through horticultural activities.

The weeklong celebration and recognition will include promoting horticultural therapy, extra programming and special events to call attention to this important work throughout the Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia and Delaware region. The centerpiece of the week is a "Celebration of Horticultural Therapy" scheduled for March 21st at the U.S. Botanical Gardens in D.C. that will include displays, information, hands-on activities, and speakers.

For more information on Horticultural Therapy Week, including how to be a co-sponsor, contact Lana Dreyfuss, President of the Chesapeake Chapter at (301) 649-7469. By e-mail: lanadreyfuss@aol.com


Background

"Plants possess life-enhancing qualities that encourage people to respond to them. In a judgmental world plants are non-threatening and non-discriminating. They are living entities that respond directly to the care that is given to them, not the intellectual or physical capacities of the gardener. In short, they provide a welcomed setting in which a person can take the first steps toward confidence". Charles A. Lewis

Throughout the U.S. and beyond our borders, horticulture is increasingly used as a therapeutic tool for the elderly, for people who are physically, mentally, or developmentally disabled, for substance abusers, for the incarcerated, for the socially disadvantaged, for school populations, for re-training the unemployed, for the general public...the list is without limits. Many horticultural programs have been established to improve the social, educational, psychological, and physical well being of such persons.

The nurturing and enjoyment of plants can be a lifelong therapeutic pursuit. In horticulture, this characteristic of something for everyone as well as our agrarian roots continually boosts gardening into one of the top leisure time activities in the United States. Plants are essential for life. We are strongly biological and psychologically connected to them. Because of this fulfillment of basic human needs, horticultural therapy can facilitate benefits with people on many levels.

As we care for plants, gardens, and the trees, shrubs and flowers in our parks, they in turn care for us. This we know. It's a relationship that horticultural therapists make the most of.

Reflecting upon the ending of the year 2001, we can see the enduring benefits and importance that gardens and green spaces have in our lives. Visitation in public parks and gardens has increased since September 11, as people have turned to these places as "safe havens" for close-to-home contemplation, recreation and heritage tourism. People are turning to their own gardens, and creating commemorative tree plantings and healing gardens. People are turning to conferences and workshops in record numbers to learn more about the healing power of nature.

Seeking solace in gardens, finding the alluring beauty of nature, reconnecting the cycles of life nature demonstrates in its seasonal change, and finding a quiet calm in the reclaiming of the relationship one has with plants are all answers to the questions of why.

The Chesapeake Chapter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association is one of 14 regional chapters nationwide promoting Horticultural Therapy Week. The Chesapeake Chapter strives "to be creative and responsive leader to promote the use of horticulture as a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool to improve the health and well being of all people".


If you'd like to learn more about the Association and their plans for Horticultural Therapy Week, and how you can participate, contact Ms. Dreyfuss at (301) 649-7469; by e-mail at: lanadreyfuss@aol.com, or the Partnerships Office of the National Park Service's National Capital Region at (202) 619-7492.