Photo Credit: Georgia Brown MAIH (Western Australia).

The Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) will celebrate its 50th year in 2010. The Institute was formed in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) in 1953 and become an incorporated entity in 1960.

Since its inception AIH has become the pre-eminent national body that represents the interests of and professional development of horticulturists in Australia. AIH represents approximately 1000 members throughout Australia and overseas.

The AIH is managed nationally by an elected National Executive that consists of a President/Chair, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and a National Council that represents each of the AIH Australian regions. AIH National is responsible for the overall national management of the Institute that includes policy, membership, finances, federal representation and strategic development

Each Regional Council may have an elected executive and committee and is responsible for the local development of programs to support AIH members.

Membership is open to horticulture practitioners who have achieved acknowledged tertiary qualifications in horticulture OR Associate membership for equivalent years of industry experience

AIH member practitioners represent the widest possible range of horticulture interests across every industry group. These include production, environmental, recreational, ornamental, lifestyle and design, training and higher education horticulture pursuits and professions.

AIH members can be seen on all lifestyle television shows, heard on most radio gardening programs nationally and write most of the respected gardening columns, books and guides.

Other AIH Member practitioners specialise in tertiary training design and development for Australian industry groups and are responsible for many overseas national landscape and horticulture industry workplace skills and qualification programs. Others deliver senior professional development programs internationally and are acknowledged as world leaders in horticulture training.

Photo Credit: Georgia Brown MAIH (Western Australia).

AIH is committed to and promotes the development of young horticulturists through the national network of TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and RTO (Registered Training organisations) horticulture training and education courses. AIH nurtures TAFE and RTO horticulture teachers and lecturers

AIH actively seeks to collaborate with other like minded organisations to bring and offer a holistic approach to the horticulture profession.

AIH has recently established the first international co-operation arrangement with the National Parks Board of Singapore and the Centre for Urban Greenery (CUGE) Singapore. AIH provides a rigorous process of accreditation of the CUGE Certified Practising Horticulturists Program and CPH Singapore graduates participate in AIH as its first members in Asia.