Elizabeth (Leah) R.M. Diehl
RLA, HTM / Lecturer / Horticultural Therapy / Director of Therapeutic Horticulture at Wilmot Gardens
Leah Diehl is developing the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Horticultural Therapy for the Environmental Horticulture Program. She also directs the Therapeutic Horticulture Program at Wilmot Gardens at UF, where she creates programming for diverse populations and participates in research studies examining the impact of plants and nature on quality of life and wellness. Leah is a registered horticultural therapist and a licensed landscape architect with an emphasis on healing gardens and therapeutic design and programming. She began her work in horticultural therapy in Chicago in 1993, where she started a therapeutic and pre-vocational program for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. She served as Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture for 15 years. She also works with the Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the National Parks Board in Singapore in their efforts to bring therapeutic horticulture and therapeutic gardens to their citizens.
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RESEARCH
Horticultural Therapy and Nature Interactions
Leah Diehl creates and leads horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture (HT/TH) programming for diverse populations. For select HT/TH participant groups she recruits research participants, develops research protocols, and collects and evaluates data. She also conducts research on gardens and their restorative potential.
- Exploring the benefits of therapeutic horticulture in patients in gynecologic oncology: A pilot study. In collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Florida: 2022-2023
- Pilot Study on Therapeutic Horticulture for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Mixed Methods Study. In collaboration with the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Florida: 2023
- Therapeutic Horticulture for Parkinson’s Care Partners. Supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation: 2023-Present
- The Effect of Therapeutic Horticulture on Student Wellbeing and Academic Resilience. Supported by the LoveIVLawrence Foundation, UF-CALS Dean’s Office, and UF President Sasse’s Strategic Funding Initiative: 2021-Present.
- A pilot randomized controlled trial of group-based indoor gardening and art activities demonstrates therapeutic benefits to healthy women. In collaboration with UF’s Environmental Horticulture Department, McKnight Brain Institute, and
- Therapeutic horticulture as a therapeutic intervention in patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment for major depressive disorder. In collaboration with UF’s Department of Psychiatry: 2018-2020.
- Nature-based activities for older adults: A case study in Singapore. In collaboration with Angelia Sia and the National Parks Board of Singapore: 2020
- Therapeutic horticulture as a quality-of-life intervention in chronic hemodialysis patients. Supported by Dialysis Centers Incorporated: 2014-2016.
- TEACHING
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EDUCATION
- MLA Landscape Architecture, University of Pennsylvania, 1993
- B Arch Architecture, University of Illinois, 1991
- BA History of Art & Architecture, University of Illinois, 1991
- PUBLICATIONS
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RECENT SERVICES AND HONORS
- 2024 FNGLA Outstanding Educator. Awarded by the Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Association.
- $474,604.00: Connecting Students with Cultivated and Natural Spaces to Promote Wellness. Awarded by the University of Florida Strategic Funding Initiative, 2023.
- UF/IFAS High Impact Publication Recognition (2023) for Odeh, R., Diehl, E., Nixon, S. et al. (2022). A pilot randomized controlled trial of group-based indoor gardening and art activities demonstrates therapeutic benefits to healthy women. PLoS One 17(7).
- Charles A. Lewis Excellence in Research Award (2023) from the American Horticultural Therapy Association for Odeh, R., Diehl, E., Nixon, S. et al. (2022). A pilot randomized controlled trial of group-based indoor gardening and art activities demonstrates therapeutic benefits to healthy women. PLoS One 17(7).
- Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology Award. Granted by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, 2023.
- Educator Award: Granted by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, 2022.
- 2017 Champions for Change Award: Granted by Sustainable UF, University of Florida
- 2015 Lifetime Membership Award: Granted by the American Horticultural Therapy Association.
- 2012 Therapeutic Garden Design Award: Granted by American Horticultural Therapy Association
- 2011 Outstanding Master Gardener of the Year: State of Florida Master Gardener Program
- 2011 Publications Award: Granted by the American Horticultural Therapy Association
- 2010 Rhea McCandliss Professional Service Award: Granted by the American Horticultural Therapy Association