GardenFest to Spotlight Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden Feb. 15-16

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Nature lovers can enjoy an exhibition and sale of rare plants, explore the unique Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden and discover fine arts and crafts during the 17th Annual  “GardenFest Key West: The Green Market Place 2020”, set for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15th &16th.

Themed “Re-greening the Keys”, the plant sale and craft market is scheduled 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday in the garden, located at 5210 College Road.  Admission is free. For more information:  305-296-1504 or www.keywest.garden.

Visitors can view and purchase tropical and native plants, from the Garden’s own nursery as well as other plant vendors.  The Garden’s nursery includes over 150 species of native plants, many of which are threatened and endangered. There will also be earth-based arts and crafts with nature themes or composed of natural materials, eco-friendly products and services, education presentations, a children’s science corner, adult beverages, food, a silent auction and raffles.

Exhibits by conservation-oriented nonprofit organizations are to be featured, as are educational presentations and demonstrations. Robyn Mayer, of the College of the Florida Keys, will speak on The Decline of the Bird Population in the United States at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.  Other attractions include lunch at an onsite “beer garden.”

The site is the only frost-free tropical moist forest garden in the continental United States.

Attendees can explore the spacious arboretum, garden, wildlife refuge and educational center that showcases flora native to South Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean.  Docent  guided tours will be offered twice daily at 11am and 1pm.

Celebrating the Garden’s 84th anniversary in 2020, the Key West Botanical Garden Society is proud to be able to continue this important community event.  The Garden is home to many threatened and endangered species, the rich and diverse environment features two wetland habitats, two butterfly gardens with fragrant plants, seasonal flowers, national and state champion trees, birds, butterflies, art, musical instruments and much more. As a living museum with twelve self-guided tours, the garden offers visitors an opportunity to step back in time and experience the Keys in a natural, protected conservation habitat.

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