KEY WEST, Florida Keys –  The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden will be hosting its monthly ‘Nature & Nurture Day from 9am to Noon on Saturday, December 20, 2025.  

The Native Plant Sale & Compost Drop Off & Demonstration is open 9am to Noon.  Take home a piece of the garden! Our Native Plant Sale features a curated selection of native species that support local wildlife, pollinators, and the island’s natural ecosystems—all while thriving beautifully in Key West’s unique climate.  Key West Botanical Garden members receive a 15% discount on plant purchases.  Memberships are available on site and on-line.

Compost Drop off - Turn your Trash into Treasure at our Compost Village! Turn kitchen scraps into garden gold. Bring your compostable materials and learn how to start or improve your own compost system at home. We’ll walk through what to add, what to avoid, and how composting helps reduce waste and nourish the soil.  Acceptable items: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains (Pasta, Bread, Rice), Coffee grounds & Egg Shells.  No Meat or Dairy.

The Children’s Art Workshop runs from 10am to 12:00.  Cost of $10 includes all art materials needed; Members Free.  Kids are invited to explore the garden through creativity! This hands-on workshop uses leaves, flowers, and natural textures as inspiration for art-making. Introducing children to different artist and techniques. Perfect for young artists to connect with nature while they paint, draw, and collage. Partnered with Key West Art & Historical Society.  Reserve spots by emailing [email protected].

Prime of Life Yoga – (Yoga after 50) 10am–11:15am:  Classes are small and ideal for exploring yoga for the first time or getting back into your practice and benefiting from individual attention. A part of all class fees go to support the conservation work of KWBGS.    Cost: Drop-In $20
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The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island and is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation.  All proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program.  For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden.

​KEY WEST, Florida Keys –  The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is seeking sponsors for it’s 90th Anniversary Gala on Friday, January 30, 2026.  Beginning at 6pm, the Gala, “Petals & Pearls” will present an evening of dining and dancing under the stars to the music of Skipper & Friends featuring Channing Lynn and featuring a live auction.
 
In early August of 1934, FERA Director of Beautification J. Gerry Curtis announced plans for a Botanical Garden that would serve as a draw to entice tourists back to the city.   The Great Depression had hit Paradise hard, drying up the winter tourism business as people everywhere no longer had disposable income to spend.  As part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” program, plans were developed by landscape architect Ralph Gunn to create the Botanical Garden on fifty acres of land on Stock Island.  The  Garden would receive over 7,000 plants of some 80 different species.  
 
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden was officially opened on February 23, 1936 and is one of the oldest continuously operating tourist attractions in the City.
 
For more information contact Brigid at [email protected].     

KEY WEST, Florida Keys –  The Native Plant Nursery at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden will be hosting its monthly ‘Day of Conservation’ from 9am to Noon on Saturday, November 15 , 2025. 

The Native Plant Sale is open 9am to Noon.  The nursery has 160 species of native trees, shrubs, vine & vegetables in 1-gallon to 15-gallon pots. Key West Botanical Garden members receive a 15% discount on plant purchases.  Memberships are available on site and on-line.

The Composting Workshop runs 9am to Noon.  Bring your food scraps to support composting for the Keys pilot research and educational collaboration with the UF/IFAS Monroe County Extension.  Acceptable items: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains (Pasta, Bread, Rice), Coffee grounds & Egg Shells.  No Meat or Dairy.
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The Children’s Art Workshop runs from 10am to 12:00.  Cost of $10 includes all art materials needed.  Reserve spots by emailing [email protected]
 
  The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island and is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation.  All proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program.  For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden.

Key West, Florida Keys – Raise a glass and join us for a night of rum, rhythm and revelry at the 3rd Annual Rum Infused Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser, a lively locals’ favorite, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden.

This unforgettable evening invites guests to stroll through the Garden’s lush beauty while enjoying a mix of fun, food, and flavor. Highlights of the night include:
• Scavenger Hunt & Costume Contest – with fabulous prizes for the most creative entries
• Dinner by Outback Steakhouse – a feast sure to please
• Live Music by John Bartus – the Florida Keys’ own singer-songwriter and former Mayor of Marathon
• Rum Distributors Competition – sample and vote as local rum makers compete for the coveted title of Best Rum Drink in Town

“This event has grown into one of our most anticipated fundraisers,” said Ed Cunningham, President. “It’s a perfect mix of local talent, flavors, and fun—all in support of an education center that will benefit generations to come.”

Guests are encouraged put on their best Pirate & Mermaid costumes and mark their calendars to secure their spots early. Points will be given for the most items identified on the Scavenger Hunt within one hour. First person or team to return wins the grand prize. Prizes will also be awarded for best costumes. There will also be a silent auction and raffle to support our students.

This spirited event raises essential funds for the Garden’s most ambitious project yet: the construction of a state-of-the-art Education Center. This new facility will serve as a hub for learning, conservation, and preservation—bringing the community and visitors together to explore, protect, and celebrate the natural world. 100% of all donations and proceeds will go toward this capital fund. The center will serve all of Monroe County students - fostering community engagement, an awareness of the local ecosystem, wildlife, and outdoor enjoyment. Student field trips to the Garden provide hands-on experiments and lessons to develop skills and interests that will lead to careers that will keep them in the Keys. Past students have gone on to careers in the Botanical, Biological and Environmental sciences here in the Keys.

Your participation will make a lasting difference for the future of the Garden and our community. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at the Garden’s website: https://www.keywest.garden/events/2025-rum-infused-adult-scavenger-hunt/.

For more information contact Brigid at [email protected].

Key West, Florida Keys – The annual 'SCREAMIN’ GREEN HALLOWEEN' at the Historic Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025.  The Garden is open from 10am – 2pm for children to have a fun and safe ‘Trick or Treat’.  Tricks, treats, games, and candy stations will be set up throughout the garden so kids can be in costume while exploring the Garden and participating in the hunt for treats!  Food, beverages, raffle giveaways and craft stations will add to the fun-filled day.
 
There will be two costume contests.  Prizes will be awarded for ages 5 and under at 12:15 & ages 6 – older at 1:15.   Entrance Fee: $5 per child or $10 per family.  Key West Botanical Garden members FREE.  To purchase tickets:  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/screamin-green-halloween
 
The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island.  For more information or to support this event through sponsorship or volunteering please call or text 305-849-6374 or email Claudia at [email protected].  Additional information on our website www.keywest.garden.   

​KEY WEST, Florida Keys –  Get ready to wag, walk, and woof! The 3rd Annual Tails on Trails event is back — November 8, 2025, 11am to 2 pm.  This is a fun filled day when dogs and their humans explore the scenic trails of the Garden, enjoy fun contests, local vendors, food, drinks, and tail-wagging camaraderie. This community favorite celebrates the bond between people, pets, and nature.

The Garden has 15 acres of mulched and boardwalk trails meandering through forests and meadows.  Residents and visitors are invited, with or without their dogs to enjoy the day. 

Events for the day include:  Good Dog Training Demonstration; Silly Dog Tricks & Best in Show Contests; Free Mobile Grooming by Dottie; Food, Beverages, Crafts for Kids; and a Raffle of great gifts.  There will be informational booths with local vendors and non-profit organizations. The Native Nursery will also have plants for sale and information about toxic plants.

           
This event is FREE for Members; $10 per family for non-members.  The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island.  For more information contact Brigid at [email protected].     

Key West, FL – October 2, 2025 - The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is proud to announce its 90th Anniversary Gala, to be held on Saturday, January 30, 2026. This milestone celebration will take place under the stars and promises an unforgettable evening of delicious cuisine, an open bar, live auction, and dancing to the music of Skipper & Friends.

Founded in 1936 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Program, the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden was established to help revitalize Key West after the Depression, bringing both tourism and financial stability back to the city. Today, thanks to a new 99-year lease from the City of Key West, the Garden continues to thrive as a premier destination for nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, and conservationists alike.

As the only frost-free, subtropical, natural conservation habitat and botanical garden in the continental United States, the Garden is committed to its mission of Education, Conservation, and Preservation. Looking to the future, the Garden is embarking on an exciting new project: the development of a state-of-the-art Education Center and Visitor Center. This expansion will enhance existing programs for Monroe County schoolchildren and adults of all ages while solidifying the Garden’s role as a place of beauty, respite, and learning for tourists from around the world.

The 90th Anniversary Gala will also introduce sponsorship opportunities that will play a crucial role in supporting this transformational project. A sponsorship package will be presented to the community in the near future. Join us for this extraordinary evening to celebrate the Garden’s legacy, support its future growth, and enjoy an elegant night of fun, food, and philanthropy.
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📅 Event Date: Saturday, January 30, 2026
📍 Location: Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
🎶 Entertainment: Live music and dancing with Skipper & Friends

For tickets, sponsorship details, or additional information, please
contact:📧 [email protected]

KEY WEST, Florida Keys –  The Native Plant Nursery at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden will be hosting its monthly ‘Day of Conservation’ from 9am to Noon on Saturday, October 18, 2025. 

The Native Plant Sale is open 9am to Noon.  The nursery has 160 species of native trees, shrubs, vine & vegetables in 1-gallon to 15-gallon pots. Key West Botanical Garden members receive a 15% discount on plant purchases.  Memberships are available on site and on-line.

The Composting Workshop runs 9am to Noon.  Bring your food scraps to support composting for the Keys pilot research and educational collaboration with the UF/IFAS Monroe County Extension.  Acceptable items: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains (Pasta, Bread, Rice), Coffee grounds & Egg Shells.  No Meat or Dairy.
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The Children’s Art Workshop runs from 10am to 12:00.  Cost of $10 includes all art materials needed.  Reserve spots by emailing [email protected]
 
  The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island and is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation.  All proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program.  For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden.

KEY WEST, FL, September 29, 2025— Halloween will get an early start this year when CFK Academy, The College of the Florida Keys’ tuition-free public charter school, hosts “Ghost Stories from the Gardens” on October 10th at Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden at 5210 College Road.

Presented by Island Tales on behalf of CFK Academy, the tours will feature ghost tales and spooky legends led by 5-star rated tour guide Amy Andrade. Guests will learn about haunted lighthouses, murder, betrayal, diseases, natural disasters, and ghosts that haunt the Florida Keys. Guests can choose from three different times: 6:00 p.m., 7:15 p.m., or 8:30 p.m.
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Tickets are $25, plus a small service fee, and can be purchased at KeysTix.com. All proceeds will benefit the CFK Academy students.

​KEY WEST, Florida Keys –  The Garden is going to the Dogs at the 3rd Annual “Tails on the Trails” Event!  We are seeking Dog Friendly Vendors to help support this family friendly event for our community of dog owners & dog lovers on November 8, 2025 – 10am to 2pm.  The Garden has 15 acres of mulched and boardwalk trails meandering through forests and meadows. The community will be invited to bring their dogs to enjoy the day, visit our vendors and participate in games and prizes in the meadow.
 
The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island.  For more information contact Brigid at [email protected].