Misha McRae, executive director of the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the garden.
The holidays are in full swing in the garden.
McRae said, “I offer everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We do have Thanksgiving hours. The garden will close at 1pm tomorrow, so we’re open from 10 to 1. We reopen on Friday at 10am at our normal time.”
There’s one week left to see the scarecrows in the forest.
McRae said, “It is our attempt to educate the public on different means of recycling. Each one of our sculptures are actually made from recycled items. Please come out to the garden and put your vote in on which one you like the best. And then, of course, this is the season to be jolly. We have our annual Snowy Days children’s concert coming up on December the 15th. It’s a great day in the garden from 12 to 2pm. We have arts, crafts, we have snow cones, we have popcorn, we have musicians. We’ll be singing holiday classics geared exclusively for the kids and our community. It’s $10 per family. It supports the Education Department, and it’s a great way for the kids to come out to the garden and kick off the holiday season.”
Garden Fest 2025 will be in March.
McRae said, “We’re very excited. This is our annual plant sale. We bring vendors in from all over. We do arts and crafts. We have live music. We have a beer garden. The Botanical Garden changes into a beer garden. Can you imagine? It is just a great way to be out in the community, learn about your native plants of our region, and have a great day supporting the Key West Botanical Garden.”
Membership and volunteers really support the garden.
McRae said, “The garden’s boat is floated by our membership. It is the one budget item that I can actually depend on. I always tell everyone you want to really show your support for the garden, sign on the line, become a member, good for a year, tax deductible, and supports this 88 year old garden and this 33 year old Botanical Garden society. Membership has its privileges, good for a year. Tax deductible, get you free admission during normal business hours. The list is long, but ultimately it’s supporting this historic botanical garden, which I’m trying to make it a community center, and goes all the way back to 2022, thanking the Key West voters for extending our lease for 99 years.”
How are things progressing with the renovation of the education center?
McRae said, “We found ourselves a contractor. We’re doing our planning meeting starting next week. I’m very excited about it. We’re in the very beginning throes of a capital campaign. For those of you who’ve contributed already, many blessings and thank you for not only the Botanical Garden society, but the children on the community that it’s going to affect in the future. Capital campaign needs about $500,000 to build our new education building. If you want to know in more information, please contact me. Really quite easy. Call the garden at 305-296-1501, I’d be happy to talk to you about it and let you know how you can help us with it.”
The garden is also seeking board members.
McRae said, “This is our annual nomination for board members. If you want to be part of this society, if you want to help steer the ship on the direction this botanical garden is going, if you have a particular expertise or a passion, whether it’s wildlife, butterflies, plants, if it’s education, reach out to us become a board member. We have a great, active, busy board and a working board, but it is one of those that really get a lot of satisfaction, not only for the city of Key West, for doing what we’re doing, but also, as I tell everyone, we think globally, but act locally on doing conservation efforts within our community. Board members, it’s a three year term. We’d love to have you on board to help us with it. We’re looking for a diversified board so reach out to us if you’re interested in any information about it, or just want to talk about it, I’d love to be the one. We need donations. Become a member, volunteer. In life, if you’re going to get the most out of it, you’ve got to participate. So if you’re interested in more, participate, become a member, become a volunteer, join our board and come by and say hi. Happy holidays, everyone.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keywest.garden/