About
Our Beliefs
We believe that everyone deserves access to plants. Everyone.
Urban horticulture improves human well-being, promotes social justice, and sustains a healthy ecosystem. Planted spaces increase the quality of our environment, the amount of fruits and vegetables we eat, our physical activity, our ability to manage stress and illness, and our social cohesion. Our programs are practical, therapeutic, and educational. We create greenspaces, provide services to people in need, and demonstrate the importance of plants in our lives.
The Hort improves human life through horticulture.
- We create green spaces in all neighborhoods as a vital part of social infrastructure.
- We train people for jobs that grow and sustain green communities.
- We develop fresh approaches to improve New Yorkers’ health, well-being, and environment through horticulture.
Where we work
We improve our city’s greenspaces and the quality of life for all residents regardless of where they live. We engage people with plants whether they are on-the-go or resting at a bus stop. The Hort plants these in-between spaces of our city, even those considered “unplantable.” People living in certain environments such as managed care or detention facilities spend their time primarily indoors, and by bringing plants to them we provide access to nature. For students who one day may want to become professional horticulturalists or lifelong gardeners, we bring them to us — at our Greenhouse and Education Center – or go to them and plant learning gardens together at their schools.
Well-planned, equitable urban horticulture has the power to transform individuals, communities, and our environment.
The need for plants in our lives is fundamental; we all need plants and we all deserve them.
How We Work
Since our founding in 1900, we have been the leading horticultural organization of New York City. Since our founding we have led the discipline and practice of urban horticulture; we have pushed the limits of who gets access to horticulture.
We advance our mission through our Horticulture, Therapeutic Horticulture and Education programs.
Horticulture
The Hort provides low-cost horticultural services to bring greenspaces into the daily lives of people who otherwise would have limited access to nature. Our horticulturists provide in-field training to our workforce development participants, preparing New Yorkers for meaningful careers in urban horticulture
Therapeutic Horticulture
The Hort’s renowned therapeutic horticulture programs provide opportunities for people to enjoy the well-documented rehabilitative, vocational, and community benefits of cultivating plants and gardens.
Education
The Hort provides a range of educational programs – classes, activities, events, convenings – to advance urban horticulture literacy among our children, youth, teachers, parents, the general public, community leaders, planners, healthcare providers, and supportive housing providers.
More About The Hort
Our Supporters
Our programs are made possible thanks to:
