
People of the Dawnland
The 2023 Fundamentals class, section I, will be conducted within the tranquil setting of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) located in Boothbay, October 12-15th. Being the easternmost state in the US, Maine is considered the “end of the line” by those from away and for good reason. Within this state, we have the northern terminus for US Route 1, Interstate 95, and the northernmost stretch of the US Atlantic coastal boundary. The Appalachian Trail also ends (or begins) in Maine at the very top of Mount Katahdin. The Wabanaki, People of the Dawnland named this area Katahdin, meaning “great mountain” over 12,000 years ago. Maine gives the impression of being a bit antiquated, even isolated. If asked, most Mainers will tell you they are just fine with that description.

There is a huge reason why HTI coming to CMBG has such significance. Currently, Maine has ten horticultural therapists (soon to be eleven!). Nine of the eleven are graduates of the Horticultural Therapy Institute. Through the efforts of these dedicated individuals HT serves many populations across the state, from special needs students to those dealing with mental health issues and through elder care programs. Thus far, five of those eleven have achieved their HTR credential, two are working through their internship and one is currently applying for registration. With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, Maine will soon possess eight registered horticultural therapists. Not too bad for a small rural, “off-the-beaten-path”, state.
Lerner Garden of the Five Senses
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) is the largest botanical garden, in the New England Region. It is comprised of over 300 acres. Seventeen acres features gardens full of native plants from the region and those that can thrive in a challenging northern coastal climate. One of those gardens is Lerner Garden of the Five Senses which opened in June 2009. It is less than an acre in size but offers winding paths that circle through five regions emphasizing all five senses. Raised beds in the horticultural therapy area feature cutaways to make room for gardeners in wheelchairs and with mobility issues. Just steps away from the Garden of the Five Senses is the Bosarge Family Education Center, where Rebecca and Christine, from HTI, will set up shop in October.

Horticultural Therapy in the State of Maine
CMBG’s horticultural therapy program is the oldest in the state. HTI alumni Irene Brady Barber, HTR has been conducting programming there since 2010. This year Irene will be joined by newly minted HTR, Garron Dorr and HT intern Emma Groman. Both Emma and Garron earned their HT certificate from HTI in 2022. Garron first heard of HT from the PBS series “GROW” where Kirk Hines was being interviewed about his work in the field. Four years later, as a horticulture student Garron came to realize HT was the career path that he would pursue. Emma was not sure if a career in HT was a good fit for her. She enrolled in the Fundamentals class and found “valuable instruction, dedicated leadership, and a supportive community within HTI”. As CMBG’s 2023 HT intern, Emma looks forward to “putting my HTI class knowledge to practical use.”

Just a bit more “Downeast” on Mount Desert Island, certified landscape designer, Bobbie Burdick and Suzanne Hackett are creating Maine’s newest HT site, literally from the ground up. MDI Horticultural Healting Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life for those who are struggling. Both Bobbie and Suzanne earned their HT certificate through HTI. Bobbie will be seeking registration, and both will be contributing to the development of the gardens and HT programming. Bobbie states, “MDI Horticultural Healing Center was conceived during my time of study at Horticultural Therapy Institute. I gained endless inspiration to create a healing space to support a broad range of people with a variety of focused programs that incorporate nature and horticulture.
The new facility, located in Bar Harbor, will offer a variety of spaces to engage in HT, including a glass conservatory greenhouse, program session building, vast ornamental and edible gardens, forest walks, wildflower meadows, and more.”

Further south in the Greater Portland area, Laura Simonds-Rumpf, HTR, yet another HTI alumni moved back to her home state of Maine in 2021. Her pathway to HT has been a bit different. She and her husband have lived in many different countries working for the US State Department. She has experienced first-hand how the garden transcends language, culture, and politics. “In Baghdad, we had a community garden where the gardeners interacted by sharing seed, produce, tools, and meals, all through the common language of gardening. Living in a high-threat zone, the garden was a place of peace and refuge. It was something I had never experienced before; these therapeutic benefits of gardening in a war zone and in extreme weather conditions.” Since her move back to Maine, Laura has created a business Cultivating Well-Being through therapeutic horticulture that offers therapeutic horticulture to community wellness initiatives in Southern Maine. Currently, she is working to integrate horticultural therapy into established care programs for those with dementia and their care partners across the state.
Working as a garden educator, Corey Carmichael MSW, LCSW, experienced the power of the people-plant relationship. “I saw first-hand the therapeutic impacts of gardening. The garden was a space of wonder and connection. I saw kids for whom the traditional academic setting was challenging, open-up, gain confidence, and take healthy risks. I wanted to learn how I could more skillfully use the therapeutic benefits of gardening to deepen the impacts I was already seeing.” Corey is currently living out of state but looks forward to returning home this summer. She has completed her internship and is now applying for registration.
HTI’s Influence in Maine

It is evident that the Horticultural Therapy Institute has effectively empowered the practice and profession of horticultural therapy throughout the State of Maine. Giving each student a strong foundation of knowledge, understanding and a supportive community has enabled many to provide this vital practice. Maine’s geographical location is a huge obstacle for those seeking to acquire an HT certificate, especially through in-person experience. Completing the course work on-line is a wonderful option, but it does not provide the hands-on learning that is invaluable for the burgeoning HT. The best solution, for many if not all students is a hybrid program, offering both in-person and on-line classes. HTI was one of the first to embrace this hybrid learning model, that has benefited so many students across the nation and beyond.
With such an active and dedicated group of horticultural therapists, one wonders what is in store for the future of HT in Maine.
“The future looks bright for HT in Maine! There seems to be a surge of HT practitioners right now in the state. What especially excites me is that we are a cadre of all ages, which will make the field sustainable.”
Laura
“I feel like Maine has an opportunity to really become a hub for horticultural therapy. As the ever-growing group of us in the HT world continue to connect with each other and create a strong community, we can also connect with others outside of HT to educate and spread the word.”
Emma
“I am excited about the future of horticultural therapy in Maine. I’m thrilled to see how MDI Horticultural Healing Center evolves in a community where it is much needed in Downeast Maine. It is a beautiful thing to see people experience full and meaningful lives, and I am passionate about supporting individuals who seek healing on any level within the realm of horticultural therapy.”
Bobbie
“With the amazing strides that have been carved out by the handful of passionate HTs within the great State of Maine, a strong foundation has been laid for an exciting, dynamic, engaging, and purposeful future in horticultural therapy to take root, flourish, and grow beyond expectations.”
Garron

To have HTI make a second pilgrimage, the first being in 2019, to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a tremendous opportunity, not only for those of us in Northern New England but also for our neighbors to the north in Maritime Canada. If you are fortunate enough to attend the 2023 Fundamentals class at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, or if you happen to find yourself along the coast of Maine this summer, be sure to take a moment and visit with the CMBG woodland trolls!!
For more information on the in-person Fundamentals class, Section I, October 12-15 at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens visit htinstitute.org