Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
Newsletter |
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| "Those that can, do." |
Summer / Fall 2008 |
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2009
January
14 Wine Tasting
17-24 Celebrate Cuba
24 Hot Havana Nights
February
11 Wine Tasting
27 - March 1 GardenFest
March
11 Wine Tasting
14 Pond Grand Opening
14 - 17 Migration Mania | |
| From the President
HELLO! There is so much going on at the Garden that to write a quick review makes me feel like I have to amplify my voice to cover a great distance. Each of the topics below deserves a full article, but all I can do is mention the headlines.
First and foremost, come see the new pond! I don't want to say anymore or show a picture because you have to see it yourself. Tremendous.
As you have heard me say many times, our strength is our staff. We have added some excellent people to our team that already works here. There are three (3) new full time employees!
Rebecca Rex is the new General Manager. Rebecca has 15 years of museum experience. Don't worry about Vicki Grant, she's now the Vice President and A#1 Board member.
Kristie Killam is the new science teacher and Victoria Mendizabal is the Education and Volunteer Co-coordinator.
Richard Keefe, our fundraiser, obtained a $146,000 grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences which will intensify and expand our educational program. Not only are the program opportunities wonderful, but with this grant we have broken through to the top ranks of national funders. This is a tribute to Richard and to us.
If you are not already a member, please help us by joining. Tell your friends. Most grants we get require matching funds and do not cover our daily operations. We need your help, we need your support, and mostly we need your enthusiasm.
Our programs for the season will start very soon. When I write you next, it will be show time. Watch your emails. Come join us and let us all give thanks.
Peter Rysman, President | |
| Education Department's Upcoming Events
by Victoria Mendizabal, Education Coordinator
With thanks to the Eckerd Family Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services we are proud to offer, for the second year in a row, a 'Living Laboratory Program' for Monroe County students from Key West through Big Pine Key. This is an environmental education program with a standards-based curriculum chosen jointly with the Monroe County School district and focused on science topics relevant to each grade level. The program offers students the opportunity to experience a living outdoor museum and hands on science enriched activities in the only frost-free tropical forest in the continental United States located right here in their back yard. The program has been expanded this year from kindergarten through the 5th grade to include middle school grades, as well as for after school, winter, spring and summer camps.
Through a partnership that includes the Key West Botanical Garden, Duke University and the Monroe County School District, the garden will once again host the Duke Intern Program December 15 - 21, 2008. Dr. Stuart Pimm, world renowned environmentalist and the Doris Duke Chair of Conservation Ecology at Duke University, will accompany his graduate students to the Garden for field studies, research and projects. Key West High School students will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conservation, observation and participate in research alongside Dr. Pimm and the Duke University students. The program includes a scheduled series of lectures from Dr. Pimm, Stephen Hodges, the Garden's resident botanist and other visiting experts. These lectures will be open to the public and announced as times and dates become available.
For questions about these programs please contact Victoria Mendizabal, Education Coordinator at 305-296-1504, or e-mail to VMendizabal@kwbgs.org. |
The Trans-'Porter' by Misha D. McRAE, Executive Administrator
This past May the maintenance crew found themselves on foot and back to wheel barrow duty. After the slow and anticipated demise of the golf cart purchased in 2006 with a grant from the Dept. of Agriculture (post Hurricane Wilma), Bill and MaryCarlin Porter requested the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys to make a contribution to the garden from the Porter Family Trust. A gift in the amount of $2,000.00 was made for the purchase of a Carryall maintenance service cart. On July 23, 2008, Don Westen of D&M Golf Cart presented garden naturalist Nadia Amador and resident botanist Stephen Hodges the keys to the Garden's newest set of wheels.
"The old service cart was a golf cart (and) not designed for the punishment inflicted on it through daily garden maintenance" stated Nadia Amador. The new Carryall service cart has a manual working dump-bin and a trailer hitch that can haul up to 3,000 lbs. of cargo if necessary. Totally electric, it is environmentally friendly as well.
A major Thank You goes out to Bill and MaryCarlin Porter from the maintenance department and staff of the Botanical Garden for this timely gift. |
| The Key West Botanical Garden Welcomes New Staff
Rebecca Rex - General Manger, joined the staff in August 2008. A long-time museum administrator, she served most recently as Director of Development at the Newport Art Museum & Art Association, Newport, Rhode Island. Rebecca brings with her a wealth of experience in non-profit management, including foundation, individual, corporate and membership development, donor prospecting and cultivation strategies, staff supervision, facility rentals, and special events planning. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature and Art History from the University of Colorado, a Certificate in Museum Studies from Harvard University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, England, and is currently a candidate for a Master of Arts degree at Hunter College, City University of New York.
Victoria Mendizabal - Education Coordinator, joined the Garden in August 2008. She brings to the garden over 20 years of experience in the botanical world. After obtaining degrees in accounting and finance from Florida International University, Victoria pursued her passion in botany by starting her own business, Victoria's Plant Design, which became one of South Florida's premier interior botanical design and care business. With an "A" list of clients, she became a leader in the industry by concentrating on educational development, creative design and community involvement benefiting organizations such as The American Cancer Society, Women's Cancer Association for the University of Miami and the Children's Home Society. A resident of the Florida Keys for the past four years, Victoria looks forward to serving the community through the Garden's expanding educational program.
Kristie Killam - Environmental Education Teacher, joined the Garden August 2008. She brings with her a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Penn State University, a Masters in Marine Science from the University of South Florida and more than 14 years experience as a teacher at a environmental science magnet school. Prior to teaching she worked as a marine scientist with Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission in St. Petersburg and as an environmental consultant in the Chesapeake Bay estuary. Kristie wrote curriculum and taught classes in biology, ecology, oceanography, science research, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). With her students, she built aquaculture systems, grew native wetland plants from seeds, ran the school recycling program and wrote grants to fund the creation of schoolyard habitat restoration projects that included wooded wetlands, rain gardens, forest buffers and butterfly gardens. She will be assisting with the development of and teaching the middle school science curriculum, after school clubs and science camps.
Antwon Lyons - Grounds Maintenance, joined the Garden in July 2008. Born and raised in Key West, Antwon graduated from Key West High School in June 2008. With a grant from Workforce of South Florida, he started with the Botanical Garden in June as part of the Garden's intern program. Antwon became full time in July 2008, and is responsible for the pond and general garden maintenance working directly with the botany staff on grounds keeping. |
Pond Project Update - We Need Your Support
A visit to the Key West Botanical Garden reveals that the pond project is well underway! Planned as a three-part project, the pond has now been excavated and the boardwalk installed. This newly uncovered body of freshwater is already inhabited by tad poles, egrets and other wildlife.
The Garden is grateful to the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and the South Florida Water Management District for the major funding of this project. We also wish to thank TREX, Cox Lumber, and Overseas Lumber for their generous support.
As this grant must be matched, we hope you will consider making a contribution to help support this important and timely undertaking. Please contact Rebecca Rex, General Manager at (305) 296-1504 or rrex@kwbgs.org for more information on how you can participate by making a tax-deductible gift to this project.
Please visit www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org for updates and news about our new pond! |
Volunteer Interview by Misha D. McRAE
Tony Klein - Visitor Center Greeter 
On Wednesday mornings, Tony Klein can be found in the Visitor Center greeting and introducing guests to the history and wonder of the Botanical Garden. Tony, a published poet, started at the garden in June 2005 when he walked in and said that he liked what was happening here and wanted to become involved. Since then he has given more than 221 volunteer hours to the garden.
Originally from Ann Arbor Michigan, Tony first discovered Key West in 1959. He was 21 and fresh out of the navy when he drove to here from California on a business trip with an associate. While visiting he paid $20 for an airplane ticket to see Cuba. After settling in Ann Arbor, Tony's love for travel and discovery lead him back-packing through Europe in the mid 70's with his former wife where they visited Morocco, Spain, Germany, France, and Greece.
In December 1976, the two of them found themselves bottomed out in Athens Greece, forcing a return to the states. "The two options were New York or Ft. Lauderdale. Who wants to be in New York in December?" Tony exclaims, "the choice was easy". After a day in Ft. Lauderdale, Tony flew to Key West on what was then called 'Air Sometimes' (actually Air Sunshine: you didn't know when they were flying). Upon arrival he walked downtown to the La Concha where he met a friend who was working behind the desk. "He was a poetry buddy of mine from Ann Arbor that I had lost touch with over the years" Tony explains. Tony has lived in Key West ever since. "The first time I read one of my poems in Key West was at the Guild Hall Gallery in 1977", Tony proudly stated.
Tony first worked in construction and then in the service industry that includes the original Bottle Cap and the Pier House. He was also a waiter at the historic Santa Maria Queen's Table. A cab driver for the past 12 years, Tony is this year's host of the Key West Poetry Guild at the original Guild Hall Gallery to which the Guild returns home to after many years. An avid bird watcher, you may see Tony with his trusty binoculars scanning the landscape for the next great sighting. Tony has watched the island's green and landscape change and slowly disappear over the years. "There used to be groves of trees on street corners and plenty of mangroves [that are] gone now. That is why I am proud to be involved with the Botanical Garden's program to save a part of the island" Tony says.
If you find yourself downtown hailing a taxi, look for Tony Klein, the cabby with the 'garden roots', and join us in thanking him for his dedicated service to the Botanical Garden.
If you are interested in the Garden's Volunteer Program, please call Misha McRAE at (305) 296-1504 for a list of volunteer opportunities. | |
| Membership by Misha D. McRAE
From utilities, supplies, and maintenance costs, Membership revenue supports the daily maintenance and operations of the Botanical Garden. It also supports the City approved re-habitation project re-establishing the original pond. Your support through the Membership program will assist in making the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden something you can be proud to be a part of.
All Memberships include:
Unlimited free admission to the Garden
Invitations to "Members Only" Events
Advance notice of Lectures and Workshops
Quarterly Garden Newsletter
Volunteer Opportunities
15%Off all plants during plant sales
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL BENEFITS
Friends of the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
Student - $10 - All the above
Individual - $35 - plus 10% discount to events
Household/Family - $50 - plus 10% family discount to events*
Patron - $ 120 - plus 15% family discount to events*
Jewels* - Our Garden "Treasures"
Enhanced Benefits include one (1) private docent tour per year for member and up to six (6) guests plus recognition on all Programs
Ruby - $300 - 20% family discount to Events
Emerald - $600 - 25% family discount to Events
Diamond - $1,100 - 25% family discount to Events; 2 VIP tickets to The Annual Gala
* Includes two (2) adults and children under the age of 18 years
Business Membership Levels
Associate - $1,500 Plus E-link to web site, 25% Discount on one (1) facility rental per year, recognition on all Programs
Corporate - $3,000 - Plus E-link to web site, 35% Discount on one (1) facility rental per year, recognition on all Programs
Benefactor - $5,000 - Plus E-link to website, 45% Discount on one (1) facility rental per year, recognition on all Programs
We urge you to consider becoming a member, renew your membership if you have not already done so, then tell a friend and neighbor about our program. Renew now before the new membership rates increase fall 2008. You can retrieve a Membership Application at www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org, or you can call the garden office at (305) 296-1504 and Misha will be more than happy to mail you one. |
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Growing Membership
The Board of Directors and Staff of the Key West Botanical Garden Society welcome and thank the following July - September 2008 new members: PATRON
Maria Zito-Kaufman
HOUSEHOLD/FAMILY
Elizabeth Ford and Eric Detwiler William and Linda Klipp Michael Spellman
C.N. Guerriere Elsie Hamilton Myra Sanger
INDIVIDUAL
Kim Elfstrom
PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING ALL NEW MEMBERS TO THE GARDEN |
| Botanical Garden Wish List
If you have any of the following items you could donate to the garden please let us know:
Xerox machine Copy/Print/Scan all in one printer
Wireless head set Computer/office desk |
One Ibis says to the other "Looks like something is happening, we better do what the sign says and park it."
Juvenile ibis in parking lot.
Photo courtesy of Beryn Harty |
Mission Statement
The Purpose of this organization is to preserve, develop, expand and maintain the historic Key West Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, wild life refuge and education center.
The garden will showcase flora that are native to South Florida, Cuba, and the Caribbean and shall emphasize cultivation of threatened and endangered species of the Florida Keys.
This organization will encourage study of this collection and promote the benefits of native vegetation worldwide. The society will also provide educational programs for all age groups and various levels of interest geared to Keys residents, tourists, plant experts, and others. | |
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