MAHTN, Inc upcoming events

Communicating Respect for People with Diverse Abilities in a Therapeutic Setting (April 24, 2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Date: Friday April 24, 2026 @ 12 noon est

Learn communication strategies for people with diverse abilities, led by a healthcare worker with thirteen years of experience working directly with complex care residents. By gaining sensitivity to the challenges experienced by people living with cognitive and physical differences, the HT/TH professional can deliver more effective programs, increase engagement, and uphold the dignity of individuals. We will discuss a wide range of topics including: hearing and vision impairment, nonverbal communication, developmental disabilities, dementia, stroke, brain injury, mental health, and special populations. Additionally, we will discuss keeping ourselves safe with violence prevention, de-escalation, and personal grounding techniques.

Presenter: Nanette Moss

Hosted by Florida Horticulture for Health Network & Nova Scotia Horticulture for Health Network

Register at: https://tinyurl.com/CommunicatingRespect

Tools that Work With You: Adaptive Strategies for TH/HT Practice (April 30, 2026)

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

In this event, Emilee Weaver invites participants to rethink gardening tools as active members of the therapeutic team, serving not only as functional supports, but as reflections of dignity, sustainability, and self-care in therapeutic horticulture practice. Through this lens, she explores how all tools can become adaptive when thoughtfully selected for their unique features and matched to both the task and the participant, supporting meaningful participation as bodies and abilities change across the lifespan.

Grounded in practical application, the session highlights how a strong understanding of standard tool features can expand accessibility without overcomplicating sessions or relying on specialized equipment, while also introducing a range of lesser-known tools that can enhance access, efficiency, and inclusion. Participants will leave with clear, applicable strategies for selecting, using, and managing tools in ways that reduce strain, conserve energy, and support more responsive, participant-centered programming.

Register to receive the zoom link prior to the presentation!

About Emilee:

Emilee brings over 25 years of experience in professional horticulture, along with education in social work and a horticultural therapy certificate from the Horticultural Therapy Institute. She currently serves as the Director of Learning and Community Engagement for Root in Nature, an international training and networking community for aspiring, new, and experienced therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy professionals.

For more than 15 years, Emilee has developed therapeutic horticulture programs and educational offerings across diverse clinical and community settings. She served as lead content creator and instructor for online and hybrid TH certificate programs co-created by two universities and co-authored The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy (2019), one of the field’s first comprehensive textbooks.

Her work has largely centered at the intersection of HT/TH and mental health, spanning inpatient psychiatric settings, justice-involved treatment programs, botanical gardens, farms, and elder care communities. Most recently her work includes international partnerships supporting TH training and consulting in regions impacted by war such as Ukraine and Armenia.

Hypertufa Workshop – A MAHTN Philly-Area Meet Up (May 31, 2026)

Sun, 31 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Get your hands dirty and create something that will last for decades! Join us at Plant 4 Good in Ardmore for a hands-on Hypertufa workshop, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Therapy Network (MAHTN).

Hypertufa is a lightweight, porous, and incredibly durable artificial stone made from a simple mix of Portland cement, peat moss, and perlite. It's been used for centuries to create beautiful garden troughs, planters, and sculptures that can withstand even freezing temperatures, making it a perfect material for our region's climate.

Our instructor, Rich Dunoff, a local photographer and longtime hypertufa enthusiast, will guide you through the entire process, from mixing and molding to curing and care. You'll leave with your very own handcrafted hypertufa planter, which you will cure at home - with instructions, of course!

The afternoon will also include time for snacks and networking with fellow horticultural therapy and horticulture professionals in the Philly area. Come connect, create, and grow with your community!

Space is limited for this event, so please register early - and let us know if your plans change!