Training & Resources for Organizations

Growing Wellness Together

Elevate your program with therapeutic horticulture

Root in Nature provides virtual training and resources to businesses, charities & not-for-profits to empower your activity and therapy teams with the essential skills for facilitating therapeutic horticulture sessions.

Following the training, we provide resources, session plans and live support, ensuring your team is ready to bring the benefits of nature into your services.

Common Problems

These challenges show up across long-term care, schools, healthcare, and workplace wellness programs alike:

Spending 90% of time indoors: Connecting with nature has mental and physical health benefits (Parks Canada, 2014).
Staff engagement and training options: Less than 1/3 of employees feel engaged and energized by their work (Gartner, 2023).
Social isolation and loneliness: 1 in 4 older adults experience social isolation resulting in serious health implications (World Health Organization, 2024).
Limited activity opportunities: Residents in care homes “do nothing” 65% of the time (Tak et al., 2015).

How We Help

Connect people with plants and nature indoors or outdoors

Enhance skills and engagement of staff through our virtual, self-paced course

Improve quality of life and reduce stress through the benefits of therapeutic horticulture

Provide ongoing resources, activities & support

Root in Nature Team Training

Step 1: Online Training

A self-paced online course introduces therapeutic horticulture and supports its integration into the work of allied professionals. It reviews core concepts, activity design and facilitation, as well as key safety considerations. It also covers adaptive tools, raised beds, and sensory plant experiences to support diverse participant needs.

Course Details

Choose from two course options: Core Training: Gardening & Nature-based Activities in Practice (4 hours) or Comprehensive Training: Therapeutic Horticulture Foundations & Facilitation (12 hours). Each includes:

Engaging video lessons
CE Credits with NCTRC
Comprehensive Course Manual
Therapeutic Horticulture Ally Certificate
Digital Badge

Step 2: Resources & Support

Your team members will then gain access to the GrowTH Network, a professional resource and support platform for therapeutic horticulture practitioners and course graduates.

What's Included in the GrowTH Network

Sortable Activity Database with 200+ step-by-step activities and more added each month
A robust Resource Library with ready-to-use tools and templates
12 Session Plans
Optional live monthly calls to enhance skills
Ongoing professional development events

Choose Your Team Training Plan

Pricing is per individual community or location. Have a larger team or multiple communities?

USD ^$225 per year

Each learning seat includes:
Core training online course (4 hours)
GrowTH Network access
Live ongoing support
Admin account for billing & team management

USD ^$400 per year

10% Discount
Each learning seat includes:
Core training online course (4 hours)
GrowTH Network access
Live ongoing support
Admin account for billing & team management

USD ^$570 per year

15% Discount
Each learning seat includes:
Core training online course (4 hours)
GrowTH Network access
Live ongoing support
Admin account for billing & team management

USD ^$720 per year

20% Discount
Each learning seat includes:
Core training online course (4 hours)
GrowTH Network access
Live ongoing support
Admin account for billing & team management

Each package includes one admin account for billing and team management. If the account holder will also participate as a learner, they should be counted as one of the learning seats.

What Practitioners Are Saying

"If you want an easily digestible AND quality understanding of the practice of therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy, this is the course! It was well organized, concise, easy to move through, and rich with information. The information is insightful and will help strengthen your skill sets in this field."

"I think that this training has been the best training in Therapeutic Horticulture that I have done. The course provides you with the necessary foundation to provide your clients with good quality Therapeutic Horticulture sessions. I found this training fantastic!"

"This course has been exceptional and provides a wide array of information related to the practice of HT. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about and engage with the HT modalities. The information is laid out clearly and provides opportunity for reflection and application of what you are learning."

"Well planned course with excellent facilitation, great examples and resources such as videos, articles, documents and library."

"Beautiful course that inspired and encouraged me to dig deeper and expand my horticulture therapy practice."

"Clear, concise, with the ability to complete at your own pace, three of my favourite things in an online course! A great intro to TH/HT guided by experienced and knowledgeable instructors. Thank you for this course, I look forward to more of your offerings!"

"I loved the diversity of people included in the videos of this course. It has been my own experience that very little breaks down barriers between people quite as well as horticulture activities."

FAQs

What's the difference between the admin account and a learning seat?

Each package includes one admin account for billing and team management, plus the number of learning seats you select. A learning seat should be assigned to each person who will complete the course, access the GrowTH Network, or use the training resources. If the admin account holder will also participate as a learner, they should be counted as one of the learning seats.

Can we add more learning seats later?

Yes. You can add learning seats at any time as your team grows or as more staff members are ready to take the training. Additional seats can be added one at a time or in small groups, and you can choose either Core Training or Comprehensive Training seats, no matter which package you started with.

Can we transfer a learning seat if a staff member leaves?

Yes. If a team member leaves your organization, their learning seat can be transferred to another staff member so your organization can continue using the training.

Is this training self-paced?

Yes. The course is designed to be completed online and self-paced, making it easier for staff to fit the training around their work schedules.

Can I talk to someone before deciding?

Yes, you’re welcome to schedule a call with us anytime using this calendar link, or by emailing alexis@rootinnature.ca.

What's the difference between Core and Comprehensive Training, and can we mix them across our team?

Core Training (Gardening & Nature-Based Activities in Practice, 4 hours) is a focused introduction covering core concepts, safety, and hands-on skills like seed starting, propagation, and adaptive tools. Comprehensive Training (Therapeutic Horticulture Foundations & Facilitation, 12-18 hours) goes deeper, adding full program development, environmental design, a broader horticultural skill set, and dedicated facilitation training, plus a digital badge and eligibility for CE credits through NCTRC, CHTA, and Master Gardener programs. Your team can mix both, choosing the right level for each person’s role, and add either type of seat at any time.

What is included with GrowTH Network access?

GrowTH Network access includes our therapeutic horticulture activity database with more than 200 step-by-step activities, a resource library with 80+ ready-to-use tools and templates, regular professional development events, and monthly expert-led Practitioner Support Calls to help your team plan and facilitate meaningful sessions. Click here to learn more about the GrowTH Network.

Why Bring Therapeutic Horticulture to Your Organization?

Improved Client Satisfaction

Training staff in therapeutic horticulture equips them to provide engaging, meaningful activities that enhance participants quality of life. This leads to higher levels of satisfaction among participants, contributing to a positive reputation for your organization.

Enhanced Staff Skill Set

Providing staff with specialized training in therapeutic horticulture not only broadens their skill set but also increases their job satisfaction by enabling them to contribute more significantly to participants’ wellbeing.

Increased Engagement and Socialization

Activities centered around gardening and nature stimulate interaction and cooperation, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.

Market Differentiation

Offering unique therapeutic programs such as horticulture distinguishes your organization in a competitive market, attracting people who are seeking innovative care options.

Reduced Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia Patients

Therapeutic horticulture can offer sensory engagement, familiar routines, opportunities for reminiscence, and calming nature-based experiences that may support mood, connection, and quality of life.

Cost Efficiency in Activity Planning

Horticultural activities can be cost-effective, utilizing the facility’s outdoor spaces and natural resources, thereby offering a sustainable option for resident engagement without the need for expensive materials or outings.

Supports Staff Wellness

Engaging in gardening and nature activities alongside residents can have therapeutic effects on staff as well, reducing job-related stress and burnout, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Improved Outcomes

With training, resources, and ongoing support, teams can plan therapeutic horticulture sessions with clearer goals, stronger safety considerations, and more confidence adapting activities to participant needs.

Ready to Explore Team Training?

Best Ottawa Business (BOBS) Award Winner

Root in Nature was recognized for Best Performance in Social Entrepreneurship by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal.

Coralus Venture

Root in Nature is grateful to be selected as one of the Ventures working on the World’s To-Do List by Coralus Activators. We receive interest-free funding, connections and relationships to grow our impact.