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Case Study

NACADIA HEALING FOREST GARDEN, THE ARBORETUM IN HØRSHOLM, UNIVERSITY
OF COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Description: This is primarily a research project to assess the A meadow of brightly coloured f lowers offers
efficacy of nature-based therapy in treating stress disorders. an open, exposed environment for patients
In 2007, as part of her work with University of Copenhagen,
Ulrika Stigsdotter, a landscape architect with expertise in ©at Nacadia Healing Forest Garden
health design, established an interdisciplinary group to Natalia Pantelidou, www.nataliapantelidou.com
ensure validity of research, including landscape architects and
experts in psychology and medicine. The aim was to develop Audience research: Applied research in the form of evidence-
a therapy garden, using evidence-based design (see page 6). based design runs through this project, from its very beginning.
After investigating several potential sites, it was decided that As far as the approach is concerned, the focus is threefold:
Hørsholm Arboretum possessed the required qualities and 1) carrying out a comparative study between two treatments
the project leaders began to collaborate with it and with for PTSD (‘mindfulness inspired nature based therapy’ and
the arboretum supervisor, who personally contributes to the CBTtreatment), 2) a longitudinal study with the participants
programme. Research began in 2007 and the garden was and the impact of the treatment on their lives one year after
planned out in 2011, after which there was six months of the project completion, and 3) a qualitative study to examine
training with horticulture therapists. In 2013, clinical research the extent to which the garden played its role as a supportive
trials began with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress environment. The latter involves observations, log books
disorder (PTSD) and people with work-related stress, mainly and interviews.
women aged 30 to 40. To date, 40 people have been given
therapy, which consists of 10 weeks treatment, during which Funding: The project is funded by four family-run and national
time participants visit three times a week for three hours. foundations and the University of Copenhagen. After funding
Treatment includes spending time in the specially designed ends in June 2015, the aim is to develop further research
areas of the garden and in gardening activities. applications as well as a Master’s course that will use the
garden as a site for education.
Focus of the project: The aim is to tackle mental health issues
by providing therapy and a connection to nature. It has brought
media coverage to the university and arboretum and increased
visitor numbers, as well as providing funding to improve
infrastructure.

Engagement approach: To ensure that therapy is appropriate
the treatment is designed by an expert medical researcher, in
collaboration with a clinic linked to the University of Aarhus.
The therapy takes an open approach, based on evidence of
what works well for these groups in terms of activities and
landscape design. Patients are referred for treatment by their
doctors, with whom the research group also has a relationship.
Consultations with the target audience were carried out to
explore their priorities.

Challenges: Recruiting enough participants willing to take part
in the project was a challenge. This became easier with time
and better communication with the medical staff who refer
them. Another issue faced was arboretum visitors wanting to
access the garden, after the wide coverage of the project in
the national press. The garden had to keep some areas very
secluded, posting information about the project at the entrance
of the arboretum to highlight the importance of the areas
remaining unpopulated.

More enclosed spaces contrast open

©ones to create different atmospheres
Natalia Pantelidou,
www.nataliapantelidou.com

30 CARING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY | A MANUAL FOR BOTANIC GARDENS