Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
Newsletter |
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| Garden Expansion |
Spring / Summer 2008 |
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Dear Friends and Garden Supporters:
The Garden is booming! I am delighted to say that again and again because we are in a period of enormous growth. For those of us here, both volunteers and staff, it is incredibly exciting. Below you will get brief reports on our Eckerd Education Program and the new pond, our wonderful Docent Program, our new Nursery, Eco Tours and Membership , but mostly, if you possibly can, come see our new pond, really a lake being built!
Peter Rysman, President |
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Education Program Grows by Nadia Amador, Garden Naturalist
"I want to work here when I grow up!" The second grade student's eyes glimmered as she eyed the varying insects underneath a log on the Western Loop.
"When I heard those words, I knew we were on the right track. While I had seen enthusiasm, rapport, and excitement, these words let me know that they were 'getting it' reported Nadia Amador, garden Staff Naturalist.
This year marked the first in the Garden's attempts to truly fulfill a part of our mission, to educate our young, future community shareholders. With generous support from the Eckerd Family Foundation, we were able to give the vast majority of elementary school aged children living in the Lower Keys a small slice of the value, educational opportunity, and promise that we all recognize the Garden can offer.
While the different adults involved in the education of our children frequently measure student achievement through tests, averages and standards, the little girl's comments show a different kind of success. Nadia added "I felt that nothing could ever be more concrete evidence that (showed) we had managed to sprout a glimmer of interest, that we were capable, indeed, had actually succeeded in our goal: to engender in children understanding and joy of the environment through experiential learning. Yes, it was hot and humid that day. Yes, we were all sweaty, thirsty, and possibly a little stinky. Yet, our findings underneath the log had everyone exclaiming, pondering, and otherwise ignoring all the discomfort in favor of curiosity. Ultimately, it is that driving curiosity and the desire to discover that motivates and excites scientists of all ages to learn and make new discoveries. "Que viva la educacíon!" |
Pond Re-habitation Project Approved by Misha D. McRAE, Exec. Administrator
  
2002 Navy Buildings to College Rd 2004 Navy Buildings Demolition 2005 Land Acquired with thanks to FCT
The construction permit was finally approved and released to the Key West Botanical Garden at the City Commission meeting on June 17th, 2008, giving the 'all clear' for the first leg of the pond re-habitation project. The permit was picked up by Charlie Toppino of Toppino & Sons setting into motion the monumental task of excavating the site where the original pond was located more than 55 years ago.
Planned as a three (3) part project, digging and pond design began in June 2008 to be completed in 30-days, with landscaping, new boardwalk, and the rest to follow. Be sure to check our website at www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org for a pictorial review of the project.
Construction Began June 2008 |
| Garden Docent Program by Misha D. McRAE, Exec. Administrator
Come one, Come all, Tours at the Garden! "Learn to appreciate the biodiversity of Key West and the importance of the Key West Botanical Garden in preserving and developing its native hardwood hammock", Docent - Audrey Thompson.
On January 14, 2008, a small but interested group lead by the Garden's Resident Botanist , Stephen Hodges, began meeting weekly for an eight (8) week period, to learn more about this garden, its inhabitants, and docent training. Of the initial group of participants, seven (7) stayed with the program and graduated mid-March 2008 as the first, official, Garden Docents. Mary Chandler, Pat Cummings, Suzanne Gribik, Rick and Beryn Harty, Constance Miller, and Audrey Thompson, each Society members and volunteers, completed the course. "He (Stephen Hodges) taught us the botanical information we needed to be able to do research on our own which we continued to do weekly" said Audrey Thompson, communication liaison for the group and the Botanical Garden.
Docent members that are in town meet routinely during the summer for review, study, and to test each other, especially on the new property and expansion. "I keep a regularly updated binder in which information from each meeting is added, (and has) a drawn rough sketch of the landscape of the entrance area around the parking lot naming all of the plants for the docents" Audrey added. "Every docent maintains a binder/notebook that they continually update with new information from the group meetings, as well as from their own individual research efforts" added Beryn Harty, garden docent.
Beryn Harty has also created a expanded binder of facts and information during the course of training. "As plants frequently display neither flowers nor fruits at any given time, I have created a manual that will be available to use as an aid in training future docents, as well as a resource in the Visitor Center. Organized by locations within the garden (Main Entrance and Pathways, Cuban Collection, parking area, etc.), it contains descriptive information on many of the garden's species and includes photographs of the plants, close-ups of the leaves, flowers and fruits for each whenever possible."
When asked what they got out of the docent program:
Audrey Thompson - "Being a Certified Arborist (up north), the formal training under Stephen expanded the knowledge I already had of the deciduous forest to the tropical forest. I learned how to appreciate the biodiversity of Key West and the importance of the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden in preserving and developing its native hardwood hammock. I have (also) learned what a very special place this is not only with respect to plants, but also the birds, insects, and animals that depend on it."
Pat Cummings - "I was familiar with temperate forest and cultivated exotics, but found the Keys flora to be very different and unique. Learning the extent to which the native Eco systems have been compromised by development and exploitation over the last two centuries, I've come to appreciate how important it is to preserve what is left and promote cultivation of native species, especially those endangered in their natural settings."
Mary Chandler - "(Even with) a BA in Botany and an MS in Wetland Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I never had the pleasure of truly exploring a tropical ecosystem until I started the Docent training at the KWBGS. Stephen Hodges is a great teacher who combines an knowledge of taxonomy, physiology, and ethnobotany. My favorite part of the garden is that small stretch of the Western Loop path that winds around past the Humane Society. That priceless part of tropical hardwood hammock is a living jewel of what Key West once was like!"
Now you can come share and learn with us. Call us to schedule your own garden tour and experience it for yourself. Your trained docents are ready to oblige. Fee: $25.00 - up to 2 individuals and $10 for each additional person. |
The Nursery Comes into Its Own by Nadia Amador, Garden Naturalist
This year, the various dynamic aspects of the Garden have truly come alive. Although seldom seen, one portion is set to play a valuable role in the Garden's mission. The nursery, like a butterfly, has emerged from its dormancy, and is ready to spread its wings and take flight with the winds of change. Last fall, the bullpen was rebuilt into a proper nursery facility and is now able to house the new orchid collection, our collection of native plants, as well as the Garden's first attempts at active conservation. That is, it is also housing our wild collected seeds and sprouts of the federal candidate (species considered for Federal Protection), Blodgett's wild mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii) http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/images.asp?plantID=1234.
The beginning of the year was very exciting as well. We again exercised our conservation role by rescuing 10 mature hammock trees from a Key Largo hammock site being clear cut. For a mature tree, being plucked from the coral rock of the upper Keys is extremely stressful. However, they seem to be recovering quite nicely and currently provide significant shade and beauty to the bullpen area. The birds love them too! These trees will ultimately find a home in the new pond site.
This early year experiment also served to hone our skills in the tree rescue domain. These skills came in handy earlier in the summer when construction began in the new pond restoration area. When the bulldozers arrived, we were able to make short work of rescuing and transplanting the 48 saplings in their way. Despite the extreme heat and dry weather, we lost only one tree. Pretty good so far! So, keep the nursery in the back of your mind and once in a while, pop by to see what new developments are under foot. |
| ECO Tours include Curacao in December
"Mojito" does Curacao - December 11 - 16, 2008
A very special opportunity to experience this island like never before!
Garden tours, private dinners, private tours, holiday shopping, and more!
Two (2) fabulous 6-star hotels in Curacao (both members of Leading Small Hotels of the World), The Spa Kura Hulanda, and the Museum Kura Hulanda, offer a very special package with meals and tours just for us!!!
Land Packages start at just $1,650.00 depending on the type of room you choose. Special airfare! As of 5/30/08, price for airfare is just $335.00 round trip from Miami on American Airlines price is pending date you confirm but it must be paid for at time of quote.
Book now! Major credit cards accepted.
Contact us about our Botanica de Isla ECO-humanitarian exchange travel opportunities. |
| Membership Drive
There are many reasons to support the Key West Botanical Garden. Membership participation is the most direct way, and those membership support dollars have been put to task. This past year, the Courtyard/Entryway and the Western Loop self-guided tours were updated adding more information, viewing stops, and include more than 30 different native, threatened, or endangered plants for viewing. In addition, new plant identification signage throughout enhances the garden as well as educates our visitors.
Then there is the garden expansion that has already begun on the reacquired land previously owned by Monroe County. More than ten (10) rare and/or threatened species of palms have been planted around the completely renovated 'Nature Chapel', and the new main entrance has to be seen to be appreciated. Currently, the City approved re-habitation project to re-establish the original pond on the new property is underway. Your support has helped make the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden something you can be proud to be a part of.
Your membership dollars assure that:
- Our educational programs will nourish and develop the minds of our youth.
- Our garden will educate visitors about the importance of native plants.
- Our rare and endangered species will continue to thrive and provide research opportunities.
- You are doing your part for the environment.
You are urged to consider renewing your membership if you have not already, and tell a friend and neighbor about the program. The garden needs your support. Renew now before the new membership rates increase fall 2008. A Membership Application can be retrieved at www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org, or you can call our office at (305) 296-1504 and Misha will be more than happy to mail you one. | |
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Growing Membership
The Board of Directors and Staff of the Key West Botanical Garden thank and welcome the following 2007/2008 new members:
Jewels - Charter Club
Diamond Emerald Ruby
Patricia Coleman & Evan and Barbara Corns Campbell Cawood
Donald Vecchie Brian & Ginger DeKalb-Botsford Ann Curley
Paul and Margaret Renoff Roger & Cindy McVeigh
Marsha Stanley
PATRON
Tamatha Bechtel Fred and Linda Greenberg Noelle Plagens
Carolyn Blackwell Susan Hammacker Janice Reid
Bindy Blatt Beryn and Rick Harty Meredith Speers
Les Dudley & Dr. Suzanne Bryant William Suddaby
Tom and Liz Butler Robert, Lynn, and Lori Jones Sharon Toppino
Celeste Erickson Karen Leonard Marilyn VanderVeen
Sue Erickson Joseph Liszka Michael Vernon
Christine and John Gallagher Daniel and Katherin Mathis Nancy and John Wardle
HOUSEHOLD/FAMILY
LeEtta Aquaro Stephen & Diane Herbruck Lee Spinks &
Clay & Mary Ellen Beattie Dawkins Hodges Sharon Plezia
Seana & Lee Cameron Irene Hinden & Deborah Iwaskow Tom Lavender &
Ellen Church Vincent Landesberg-Boyle Debbi Rothstein Michael & Rebekah Cucore Marty Sharon & Nick Lehmann Anna Sanders
Carole and William DeHart Gregory Long Karen Schievelbein
Rod Fegenbush Patricia & Michael Lowry Dudley Sheffler
Tom Florkowski Robert Middleton Michael Spellman
Brenda Franklin Family Marc Nelson Family Rosaliee Sprout
Roseline & William Glazer Ronald Nuehring Autumn Thomas Family
Skip Banach & Nancy Griffinn David Oatway Ed & Anna Whitson
Bette Helveston Jonathan & Lisa Ostroff Tracy & Joe Widener
INDIVIDUAL
Martha Adams John Dell Kim Mack
Magali Alvarez Marie Dixon Carol Minnich
Angie Arkin Kim Elfstrom Mary Morrell
Ronald Armstrong Robert Goldman Charlie Possum
Micheline Barre DeLisa Harmon Patricia Ribadeneyra
Aaron Boros Madeleine Hilton Penny Rose
Marie Brovillette Jon Hilton Lorelei Schaffhausen
Ana Maria Camarotti Jasmine Kenna Herb Smith
Alexia Cochrane Jan Kilpatrick Erik Sundquist
Amy Culver Leslye Leeker Lorraine Tacke
Karen De Torres Suzanne Liggett Galen Williams
PLEASE HELP US WELCOME ALL NEW MEMBERS TO THE GARDEN |
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Facility Rental When planning your next gathering or event, think of the Key West Botanical Garden. The Garden is available for private parties and makes a wonderful setting for weddings, reunions, and family groupings. Part or all of the Gardens can be rented on an hourly basis including tables and chairs. The rates are reasonable and the setting is heavenly. Call Misha McRAE at (305) 296-1504, or e-mail us at kwbgs@bellsouth.net for more information. And don't forget to tell your friends! |
Mission Statement
The Purpose of this organization is to preserve, develop, expand and maintain the historic Key West Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, wild life refuge and education center.
The garden will showcase flora that are native to South Florida, Cuba, and the Caribbean and shall emphasize cultivation of threatened and endangered species of the Florida Keys.
This organization will encourage study of this collection and promote the benefits of native vegetation worldwide. The society will also provide educational programs for all age groups and various levels of interest geared to Keys residents, tourists, plant experts, and others. |
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Credits Newsletter Staff
Peter Rysman, President
Misha McRAE, Publisher
Editors: Joanne Meyers, Madeline Hilton, Beryn Harty, Pat Cummings, and Audrey Thompson
Contributors: Misha McRAE, Nadia Amador, Stephen Hodges, Pat Cummings, Beryn Harty, Audrey Thompson, and Mary Chandler
Construction Photograph: Carole DeHart | |
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