Root in Nature Inc. aims to enhance the credibility and accessibility of information on the benefits of horticultural therapy. This project involves entering research data from a database spreadsheet into the website, ensuring accuracy, proper categorization, and consistency in tagging. Participants will also compile and organize the work of Dr. Paula Diane Relf, a key figure in horticultural therapy, creating a valuable resource on her contributions to the field.

Additionally, participants will develop a structured plan to promote the research database to relevant associations and organizations. To keep this aspect manageable, learners will be provided with clear guidelines and resources to support their outreach efforts. This project offers hands-on experience in data management, research validation, and strategic communication while ensuring that evidence-based horticultural therapy resources are widely accessible.

Project Outcomes and Deliverables

Data Management and Research Validation:

• Enter research data from the spreadsheet into the website – Ensure all research findings are correctly categorized, tagged, and formatted.
• Review and verify tags for accuracy and consistency – Standardize tags to align with the website’s taxonomy.
• Identify and correct any discrepancies in the data – Conduct quality control to ensure accuracy before finalizing entries.
• Compile and organize the work of Dr. Paula Diane Relf – Research and consolidate her contributions to horticultural therapy into a structured resource.

Targeted Promotional Strategy:

Students will concentrate on email outreach to relevant professional and research organizations. The key tasks include:

• Compile an email list of journals that have published related research – Identify top academic and industry journals that could share an announcement about the research database.
• Identify relevant professional organizations in horticultural therapy and healthcare – Focus on a defined list of horticultural therapy, healthcare, and allied health organizations that would benefit from or share the research.
• Draft a standardized outreach email template – Develop a clear, professional email that can be customized for different organizations, ensuring consistency in messaging.
• Create an outreach tracking sheet – A log for all organizations contacted, responses received, and follow-up actions to measure impact.

By focusing the promotional strategy on email outreach to research and professional organizations, learners can develop targeted communication skills while ensuring their work reaches key stakeholders in horticultural therapy.