Chicago Botanic Garden

Education

The expertise gained by Garden horticultural therapists serving such diverse audiences makes the contract service program uniquely qualified to establish programming at your agency.

Barbara Kreski, MHS, OTR/L
Director of Horticultural Therapy Services
(847) 835-8277

Barb Kreski supervises the horticultural therapy services department at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Barb's background spans a wide range of clinical settings including psychiatric hospitals, Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, skilled nursing facilities, public schools, and pediatric rehabilitation. She has incorporated plant- and nature-based interventions in her work in each of these settings. She holds a master's degree in health sciences with a concentration in neuroscience. Barb has completed the Garden's horticultural therapy certificate program and is working towards registration through the American Horticultural Therapy Association.

Alicia Green, MA, NCC
Coordinator, Buehler Enabling Garden
(847) 835-8248

Alicia Green is responsible for maintaining the Buehler Enabling Garden as a world-class display and for delivering horticultural therapy services outside the garden. Alicia also manages a staff of 40 volunteers who assist with garden maintenance and promoting the mission of the Enabling Garden as a barrier-free garden. Alicia has a B.A. in biology from the University of Illinois with an emphasis in ornamental horticulture and began her career at the Chicago Botanic Garden in 2000 as the nursery grower. She continued to gain experience in interior landscaping, exterior landscaping, high-end garden retail, and holiday design. She obtained a master's degree in counseling from Northeastern Illinois University in 2009 and is a National Certified Counselor. She has recently completed requirements and filed for recognition as a registered horticultural therapist.

Clare Johnson, BLA
Offsite Coordinator
(847) 835-8247

Clare Johnson serves as the offsite coordinator of Horticultural Therapy Services at the Chicago Botanic Garden. She is responsible for the delivery of horticultural therapy services at sites throughout the greater Chicago area such as residences for adults with special needs, special education programs, and Veterans Hospitals. As a secondary role, she assists with consultation including the conceptual and design process of projects brought to the Horticultural Therapy Department. Clare has a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She is scheduled to complete the horticultural therapy certificate program and is working towards registration through the American Horticultural Therapy Association.

Gene Rothert, HTR
Director Emeritus
(847) 835-8243

Gene Rothert serves as director emeritus of Horticultural Therapy Services at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where he is responsible for all horticultural components, healthcare and enabling garden design consultation services, and professional programs. For 32 years prior to serving as director emeritus, Gene led the Garden's Horticultural Therapy programs, featuring the 11,000-square-foot Buehler Enabling Garden, a garden for people of all abilities that opened in 1999. Gene has authored or coauthored 20 books, including The Enabling Garden; most recently, he coauthored two volumes of HT activities in the Health Through Horticulture series. A past president of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, Gene has received numerous awards and honors, including the 2010 Chicago Horticultural Society Award.