A Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden Event
Migration Mania
March 14 - April 11
For the fifth year in a row, the Key West Botanical Garden is proud to present Migration Mania! This series of educational events is designed to celebrate the incredible journey of migrating birds and butterflies that stop in the Keys en route from their winter homes in the Caribbean, South and Central America to their summer homes in the north. Migration Mania helps visitors develop an understanding and appreciation of our unique bio-diversity while providing children with magical learning experiences. As a treat for bird watchers, from March 14th to April 11th the Garden will extend its hours from 8:00 am for “early birders” through 6:00 p.m. for “late birders”. Note: The Garden will close at 5 pm on March 20.
On Saturday, March 14th, at 10:00 am, Dr. Marc Minno, noted scientist, author and butterfly expert, will again offer his knowledge with a show and Butterfly Release. This will be followed by a 2:00 pm lecture on "The Conservation of Butterflies in the Florida Keys". This area has a rich butterfly fauna with nearly 120 different kinds reported, including several that occur nowhere else. Some of our rarest butterflies, however, are in danger of extinction: in addition to habitat loss, exotic predatory insects are impacting even common species. Dr. Minno will inform us on what is being done to save them and what we can do to help. Suggested donation: $5 per person.
On Saturday, March 21st, at 11:00 am, Everglades Outpost will present various live animals and educate us on the Conservation of our Wildlife. Plan to come see a Florida panther, python, iguana, lemur, umbrella cockatoo and a blue and gold macaw. Wildlife experts will address such issues as what happens when exotic or non-native species are released into the wild. Suggested donation: $6 per person.
Tuesday, March 24, 6:00-7:30 pm: by popular request, another healing plant show-and-tell by locals! The Plant Medicine Traditions of our Neighbors
Our Bahamian, Cuban and Haitian neighbors brought with them a rich and practical knowledge of local healing plants. When one got sick in Key West of the 1800's and much of the 1900's, one went to the neighbor who knew the necessary local healing plants and where to find, prepare and use them.
The plants, trees, flowers, seeds, roots, bark, resins and fruits native to the Keys and the islands of the Caribbean Rim are rich in healing activity. Many in our community have used the local plants as medicines for generations, as part of family and cultural tradition. The Bahamas will be represented by Ionia Gunn; Coine Kravitz (whose mother is an herbal midwife in Haiti) will again present Haitian healing plants.
Free to members, $10.00 for non-members. Become a member of the Garden on the evening of the lecture and receive free entry.
Constance will follow-up this presentation by leading a docent herbal plant tour of the Garden on Tuesday March 31st from 6:00-7:00 pm. $10. for non-members and free to members.
On Saturday, March 28th at 10:30 am, Karyn Buckley of the Marathon Wild Bird Center will talk about Human Impact on Natural Wildlife and the Things we can do to Prevent Harm to the Animals and their Habitats. Come see Sweetie the American kestrel from Cuba, Buddy the Antillean nighthawk, and Betsy the brown pelican. On display will be x-rays, bird’s nests, feathers, bones and photos. Suggested donation: $5 per person.
On Saturday, April 11th, 8:30-10:30 am, Phillip Hughes, recovery biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Stephen Hodges, the Garden’s own resident botanist, will host a Family Birding Tour. Learn to identify birds, bird calls and the plants they depend upon. Suggested donation: $5 per person.
Saturday, April 11th, at 11:00 am: Come and join us for a fascinating and informative presentation on “The World of Bats” by Cyndi and George Marks of the Florida Bat Conservancy. The program will include a slide presentation on bats from around the world, illustrating their diversity, particular behaviors and many benefits to humans. They will also bring live bats, giving you the opportunity to meet some of our native Florida species up close.
More events may be added, so please check back often for up-to-date information on Migration Mania.