Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture
An accessible overview of the field, its settings, and its potential academic applications.
University partnerships
Bring therapeutic horticulture into teaching, research, and campus wellbeing.
Just Listen to Nature helps universities develop courses, seminars, campus wellbeing programs, garden-based learning, and interdisciplinary programs connecting horticulture with psychology, sustainability, and student life.
Program images are illustrative and do not represent current clients or completed projects.
An easy way to begin
Start with a lecture or seminar.
A guest lecture, seminar, or faculty workshop can introduce therapeutic horticulture within a course, department, or interdisciplinary program. It can stand alone or help a university decide what to explore next.
A lecture, seminar, or workshop can help students and faculty explore the relationship between horticulture, psychology, outdoor learning, and campus wellbeing before deciding whether to develop a larger program.
- Guest lecture
- Department seminar
- Faculty workshop
- Student workshop
- Interdisciplinary discussion
- Continuing-education presentation
Potential presentation topics
People, Plants, Place, and Program
How people, horticultural activity, outdoor settings, and a clear plan work together.
From Teaching Garden to University Program
How an existing garden can become part of teaching, participation, and campus life.
Therapeutic Horticulture in Tropical and Warm-Climate Settings
Program opportunities shaped by local ecosystems and year-round outdoor learning.
Choose a starting point
Each option can stand on its own.
A university can choose the format that fits its current needs without committing to a larger program.
- 01Guest Lecture
- 02Workshop
- 03Pilot Program
- 04Course or University Program
Academic curriculum
Develop courses and learning experiences that use horticulture and outdoor environments as part of the curriculum.
- Undergraduate courses and electives
- Graduate seminars
- Continuing education
- Outdoor experiential learning
- Interdisciplinary course development
Student and campus wellbeing
Develop programs that use campus gardens and outdoor spaces to support student and staff participation.
- Garden-based wellbeing programs
- Student participation and outdoor learning
- Faculty and staff wellbeing programs
- Community and extension programs
Research and evaluation
Create opportunities for faculty collaboration, pilot studies, and program evaluation.
- Pilot studies
- Program evaluation
- Faculty-led research opportunities
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Teaching and Campus Garden Programs
Give a teaching garden, campus garden, greenhouse, courtyard, or other outdoor learning space a clear role in student or community participation.
- Adapt an existing teaching garden
- Develop a therapeutic garden program brief
- Connect programming with landscape, facilities, and horticulture expertise
Working across departments
A strong program may involve more than one department.
Horticulture may provide the living material and practical activity. Psychology, public health, sustainability, student affairs, environmental studies, and landscape architecture may each contribute knowledge that strengthens the work.
Nature-based university program
- Horticulture
- Psychology
- Environmental Studies
- Landscape Architecture
- Public Health
- Sustainability
- Student Affairs
When other specialists are needed
Our work focuses on program and curriculum development. Landscape architecture, construction, and clinical services should be completed by appropriately qualified specialists.
Two practical ways to begin
Start with a lecture or a pilot.
Start with a lecture or seminar, or discuss a small pilot for a course, campus wellbeing program, or garden program.