Misha McRae, executive director of the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM yesterday morning to talk about what’s going on in the garden.
The Scarecrow in the Forest art exhibit is looking for scarecrows.
McRae said, “This is our seventh annual Scarecrows in the Forest art exhibit and contest. I need contestants. I have a month to get about 15 scarecrows installed in the garden. Keep in mind, this is made from natural, recycled, repurposed or reused materials. We’re emulating the forest and set an example on recycling. There is a contest through it where it’s voted Best in Show by the public. It’s all the way through November 30. Please email me for more information and your registration form. We’re very excited about it. It’s just another form and method of getting people out to the garden, using the garden as a backdrop to art exhibits. As you well know, we have a number of them that goes throughout the year, but this one’s really special because it’s the community that puts it together.”
It is back to school already, and the garden has a real educational impact for our students.
McRae said, “We’re not supposed to just sit there, be green, pretty and flowering. We do for the community. The hybrid Living Lab, has been a function of this community and an asset to the Botanical Garden and this community since 2006. If you have a niece, nephew, daughter, son, grandchild, they’ve been to this garden because our field trips offer free curriculum to help our educators and helping the students academic career, pre K all the way up to first year college. The school year is starting up. Field trips are starting back. This is a warning to the kids to get prepared. But also for those educators, both private and Monroe County and charter. If you are a teacher, please get in touch with Claudia at the Key West Botanical Garden. She’s at 305-849-8733, to schedule your field trip. We have varied curriculum, like 15 different classes that we offer to fit in what the teacher needs for their classrooms. Bring them out to the garden for a hands on activity and opportunity to research, study and to reconnect with nature. It’s a great program. Last year, we facilitated this to well over 3,500 students throughout the Florida Keys.”
How is the funding going for the new education center?
McRae said, “It’s slow going, but we’ve already got a contractor. We’ve got a design worked out. We just need the money to build it. Please get involved with it. We are looking for those who are going to be contributors to our capital campaign. This leads me right into the 90th anniversary, which will be next year, in February. We’re planning a big gala to kick off our annual capital campaign to build this education center. The trailer they’ve been in since 2004 has gone past its life, and we need to build them an actual indoor classroom. We need to build them research facilities. If you’ve got interest in the community and the children of our future, please contribute to our new education center. We’re looking to start building on this in 2026 so any and all assistance is greatly appreciated. Since 1936 we’ve been the key west Botanical Garden. Since 1936 we’ve been the longest continuous running attraction. We’ve got a lot of things that we are about Key West and we want people to know about it.”
Fall Migration Mania will be held on September 27.
McRae said, “We work with local dignitaries who know their business that come out, we do not only a walking tour, but it’s an ID tour. This is actually very valuable for the organization itself, because these are statistics that we need. Last year, Dr. Whiteside went through the garden with a group of people and identified 31 species of birds in an hour and a half, and Taylor Hunt from the University of Florida, went through with a group of people, and ID’ed 18 species of butterflies in one and a half hours. That’s actually eyes on documented and this is another key example why we need to preserve wildlife habitats like our own Key West Tropical Forrest and Botanical Garden. These little creatures still need homes.”
Weed warriors are always needed.
McRae said, “Keep in mind, especially these folks that says, well, I don’t have a yard, but I like gardening. Well, you’ve got 15 acres you can call your garden if you want to. We have an adult programs. We have children’s companion programs. Learn about our natives, learn about why they’re important, learn how to maintain them and learn how to take care of the Botanical Garden, all in one strike. Community service applies for our students, we do a companion program every Saturday morning from nine to noon, and then for the adults, we have a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday program that you can come out either help out in the nursery, is where we need help right now, but also at that time, learning how to maintain and do landscaping out in the Botanical Garden. It’s a great way to get involved. It’s a great way to learn more. It’s a great way to just get refreshed by being out in the forest, all that fresh oxygen just does your body good.”
Becoming a member also helps.
McRae said, “The number one way to support this 33 year old Botanical Garden society, and this going on 90 year old Botanical Garden, is to sign the line. Please become a member, good for a year, tax deductible, free admission to the garden, invitations from me. There’s a long list of benefits, and your support will go a long way in protecting the future of our historic Botanical Garden. It is the last day of the Blue Star museum. We do honor our military. We offer free admission for military and their families all the way through Labor Day. So please come out. Use this opportunity and this great opportunity. We need community support to continue.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keywest.garden/