Misha McRae, executive director of the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Gardens, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on at the garden.
Fall is upon us and that means scarecrows in the garden.
McRae said, “I put a call out for artists. We’re looking for beginners. We’re looking for artists. We’re looking for businesses, families, enthusiasts. Dig in your closets. Look in the backyard, find whatever, because whatever you can find that’s recyclable, repurpose, reuse, natural materials to create a scarecrow and exhibit at the Key West Botanical Garden. We’ve been doing this for six years now. It’s really been a local favorite, as well as visitors alike. We put scarecrows throughout the garden and let people discover them and get scared by them. Once again, the theme is recycled, and it should fit into the garden and be weatherproof, because it needs to last for three months. You can call me direct at 305-296-1501, but just go out to the website, across down where it says scarecrows. It gives you all the information, tells you how. It gives you tips, lets you get in touch with me and set you sign up for the exhibit. It is a contest as well, with the cash prize at the end. We’re hoping to have all the scarecrows installed by September 1. We go through September 5, so get your registrations in. Give me a phone call and and give me your scariest.”
There was a big recycling and composting event over the weekend at the garden.
McRae said, “I’m so excited that the locals are are almost all accustomed to the fact that we do a native plant sale the third Saturday of each month. But now we have grown the program. Last Saturday, we had a children’s arts program. We had a plant sale and we had a composting workshop. We are working with the University of Florida Extension Service and the Monroe County Recycle and Waste Management Department, and we’ve come up with five different ways that people can compost in their yard using their kitchen scraps. We’re doing an experiment to see which works, which doesn’t work, which is best and which is not best, and give everyone an opportunity to get involved, to learn and do their part to save our planet by recycling.”
The garden also needs weed warriors.
McRae said, “Our volunteers are the garden guardians. That’s what we call them. With all the rain, the trees love it. The palms stand up and sing almost. I mean, you can just feel it. But of course, the weeds say I’m here too. We’re looking for volunteers to help us out on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings to tackle the weeds that come up with it. Keep in mind that the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden is a community garden. It is for our community that we just kind of brag about to the public. So do your part and volunteer. Check in. Go to the website and it says, either up at the upper left is become a member or a volunteer, it’ll send me a notice. I’ll follow up with you, and any and all help is greatly appreciated. Ours are usually nine until noon, and we have all the equipment and gear that you need.”
The capital campaign is continuing for the facility for the educational outreach programs.
McRae said, “This past year, the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden Education Department coined the phrase living lab and serviced 3,400 students within our Monroe County school district. That is in field trips, that’s hybrid, and this is Google classrooms, giving every student an opportunity to experience the Botanical Garden, learn about our environment, find a love for our environment and help us protect our environment. We are working to put in a new education office, because the old office they have has outlived itself. We’re looking for those contributors to step up and help us build it. We’re on the final planning stages, zeroing in on a contractor to help us do that. I just need that backup money in order to pay them. So please, if you’re interested in the community, in our children, in our future, consider contributing to the Key West Botanical Garden capital campaign.”
Becoming a member is another way to get involved.
McRae said, “I think if you really believe in something, the best way you can support it is signing your name and that’s on a check. Become a member. It’s good for a year. It’s tax deductible, and it supports this great organization. Gets you access to the garden, 12 months out of the year, just about every day, and special invitations, discounts at the plant sale, 15% is nothing to shake the stick at, right? Membership has its privileges. Volunteering is another way to help us. If you find something that you love about the garden, you find something you want to support, please consider giving a donation to help the organization. We thank the city of Key West for giving us that that 99 year lease. We’re in year two of it. So not only are we keeper of the trees for 88 years, but we’re going to be around for a lot longer.”
The garden is also looking for a full time executive assistant.
McRae said, “We’re in interviewing states now. If you are interested, go out to Indeed, that’s where our ad is, or you can email HR at Key West garden. But yes, I need someone to help me.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keywest.garden/