The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is expanding its efforts to protect rare native orchids while also calling on the community for volunteers and financial support as it heads into a new fiscal year facing continued budget pressures.
Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden Executive Director Misha McRae joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the garden.
The garden has launched phase two of its Native Orchid Conservation Project, a partnership with the Key West Orchid Society and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Million Orchid Project aimed at restoring rare Florida Keys orchid species in their natural habitat.
Historically, about 20 native orchid species have been found in the Florida Keys, McRae said, but several have already gone extinct and only a fraction remain in the wild. The conservation project is designed to reverse that trend by propagating and reintroducing rare orchids throughout the garden and, eventually, across the Keys.
The first two species planted as part of the effort are the butterfly orchid, Encyclia tampensis, and the worm vine orchid, more commonly known as the vanilla orchid. McRae said the garden and its partners have identified 20 locations throughout the property to serve as a pilot program for outplanting the orchids in a natural setting rather than keeping them confined to a shade house or display area.
“This is an excellent opportunity not only to save these species from going extinct, but also to show the wonder and the beauty of native orchids here in the Keys,” McRae said.
He said orchid propagation is a painstaking process that combines science, patience and careful environmental controls. Orchid spores must be cultivated in sterile conditions, and only a small percentage survive to maturity. McRae said the long-term goal is to have 10 native orchid species growing in the wild within the next five years.
Beyond the orchid project, McRae said the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden remains home to more than 560 species of native plants representing the Florida Keys, Cuba and the Caribbean. The collection, he said, is one of the largest of its kind in Florida and is supported by the garden’s native nursery, which helps educate the public and generate revenue through plant sales.
McRae said volunteers remain essential to the garden’s mission, especially during the summer months when weeds thrive alongside native plants. The garden’s volunteer corps, known as the Garden Guardians, helps with weeding, maintenance, plant care and conservation work. Volunteers can also assist with orchid propagation through a Saturday program run in partnership with the Key West Orchid Society.
The garden also offers a Children’s Companion Program, which gives young people an opportunity to work alongside nursery staff and volunteers while learning about conservation, environmental stewardship and native plant care.
McRae said the garden serves as an important educational resource for the Keys, reaching about 3,500 children each year through programs that bring students into the garden and provide transportation when needed.
At the same time, he said, the nonprofit is facing rising operating costs, making community donations and memberships increasingly important.
“Keep this garden growing,” McRae said, urging residents to become members, donate or volunteer.
McRae said the garden’s mission goes beyond preserving plants. He described it as an environmental asset, an educational center and a place that reflects Key West’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage.
More information about the garden, volunteer opportunities, memberships and donations is available at https://www.keywest.garden/