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 Native Plant sale will be held on Saturday, February 15.
McRae said there will be “over 120 different species, 2,000 plants to choose from. What’s best for your yard, what’s best for your patio? We have the people who can talk to you about it. Members get a discount on all sales.”
February 23 is the anniversary of the garden – it’s been here for 89 years.
McRae said, “We are so pleased, excited and happy to be here.”
At the same time of the plant sale, the compost research project is happening.
McRae said, “We have partnered with the Monroe County Recycle Management, Key West Recycle Department, with Reef Relief, Star of the Seas and Surf Riders for our compost research project. We’re doing a compost workshop where we’re going to demonstrate the five ways that you can compost in the in the Florida Keys. We’re doing drop offs for kitchen scraps for the program, we’re going to demonstrate how it works, and you’ll be able to sign up to create your own composting bin out of repurposed materials. That goes from nine until noon as well on Saturday.”
Saturday morning will see the Children’s Art Workshop at 10 a.m. and at 1p.m. Kristie Killam will talk about her new book.
Then the Second Annual Rum Infused Evening in the Garden to raise funds for the capital campaign will be held Saturday night from 5 to 9 p.m.
McRae said, “This is actually the big kickoff for our annual campaign. We have found a contractor. We’re working on designs. We need money to build it, so we’re starting with the rum infused fundraiser, because it was such a hit last year. It’s a great way to bring people out to the garden, get them to explore the garden and learn more about why we’re here and what we’re doing and help us in the process, to give the kids in this community and Monroe County School District, a new education center. The event will include dinner and drinks, live music. Groups are recommended for the scavenger hunt, it’ll take you through the garden to find 20 different items that are somewhere in that garden within an hour, and prizes will be provided. We’re doing a costume contest for best pirate and best mermaid, as well as auction items, and two rum distilleries will be allowing you to test their products, as well as a signature Rum Punch for the pirates and mermaids in our community. All of this for $100 and it does support the Education Department’s capital campaign.”
The education department works out of a trailer.
McRae said, “It’s outlived itself. We’ve already done all the repairs we can, not one more Band Aid will work on it. Our education department really needs a new education center. The living lab focuses on 3,500 students in Monroe County each year, of which majority of them are at-risk, underserved population, and helps our teachers give them the tools and the materials they need to get to help their students improve.”
Garden Fest will be held on March 8.
McRae said, “This will be our 23rd year that we’re doing our signature native plant sale on March the 8th. That’s a Saturday, from 10 to 4pm. We will have art vendors, we will have plant vendors. We’ll have speaker’s workshop, the infamous beer garden, as well as live local music. It’s a great day to be outdoors, a great day to learn more and be part of the conservation of the environment and it will be just a great day in the garden.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keywest.garden/