About Us
Enjoy this "one of a kind" U S tropical forest and garden filled with butterflies, birds and beautiful flowers. Your visit begins with a smiling volunteer greeter at our education center. See a short film and browse the photo walls. Pick up one of 4 self-guided information tours. The lush courtyard has a waterfall wall of orchids and below turtles happily show off their home. Meander through a one acre butterfly habitat with over 23 species discovered! Stroll through a lush canopy of tropical palms and trees. Discover the hidden pond and maybe get lucky enough to see a rare resident white crowned pigeon or bald eagle! Restrooms and refreshments available.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden Society is to preserve, develop, expand and maintain the historic Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, wildlife refuge and educational center. The garden showcases flora that are native to South Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean and emphasize cultivation of threatened and endangered species of the Florida Keys.
The Garden also encourages study of its collection and promote the
benefits of native vegetation worldwide. The Society shall also provide
educational programs for all age groups and various levels of interest
geared to Keys residents, tourists, plant experts, and others.
History
The Key West Botanical Garden was founded and developed by the
Federal emergency Relief Administration as a showplace for tourists
during the depression in the 1930’s when Key West went bankrupt.
Beginning with 6 acres, the garden quickly reached 55 acres. Under the
direction of landscape architect Ralph Gunn, 80 species were planted.
This was an experimental garden; plants from all over the world were
planted to learn which would survive in this environment. By 1939 an
exhibition building and office, a potting shed, tool room and
greenhouses were constructed. Flagstone walkways, stone walls and even
an aviary were added to the garden’s attractiveness. There was an
on-site caretaker who collected entry fees and oversaw the garden. The
modern equivalent of $10 million was spent building the garden. Early
attendees described the garden as beautiful and filled with flowers. We
know from early records that bougainvillea climbed the walls of the
buildings. The garden was a popular gathering place for large family
groups.
During and after World War II, the garden underwent a period of neglect
and portions of it were transferred to other government agencies. A
military hospital, storage tanks for Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority,
and an additional 9 holes on the golf course accounted for the largest
land losses. By 1961 only 7.5 acres of garden and no buildings remained.
At that time the City of Key West designated the garden as a permanent
wildlife sanctuary, botanical garden, and arboretum.
The garden was restored under the care of a blue ribbon Community
Advisory Council. Most local organizations and numerous community
leaders had a hand in the restoration. A formal reopening was held in
1961 and many people again enjoyed the garden until it again fell into
neglect.
In 1972, the Key West Garden Club assumed responsibility for the garden
under contract with the City. The club launched a major restoration with
assistance from several groups including the U.S. Marines, the Girl and
Boy Scouts, and the Key West High School Go Green club. Brush was
removed, fire ants were eradicated, paths were created and a great deal
of effort went into the garden making it, again, an attractive and
informative place to visit.
The Garden Club’s major interests were not a good fit for long-term
management of a botanical garden; thus in 1988, the Key West Botanical
Garden Society was formed by a subset of Garden Club Members. In 1991,
the Society assumed management of the garden under a memorandum of
understanding with the City. The Society, a volunteer organization, has
operated the garden since that time.
Partnerships
(To learn more about our partners, click on
their names to visit their websites)
Duke University: Dr. Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Chair of Conservation Ecology, Nicholas School of Environment and Earth Sciences
The Nature Conservancy
Americorps
The Key West Butterfly and
Nature Conservatory
eBird
The Institute For Regional Conservation
Stock Island Tree Snail Conservation With The US Fish & Wildlife Service