Composting Research Project Begins at The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden

KEY WEST, Florida Keys – In November, 2024 The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden began a partnership with the Monroe County Extension Service, Monroe County Recycle & Waste Management, Key West Recycle Department, Star of the Sea Foundation (SOS), Reef Relief and Surfriders foundation to create the first composting research project to protect our environment and look to the future.

The project is being led by Melody Tuschel, Outreach & Recycling Coordinator with Monroe County Solid Waste Management. Also involved are community members, including Garden staff. Using five different composting methods that can be used at home, the purpose of the 12-month project will determine the #1 method to compost in the Keys.

Now in its third month, Melody Tuschel reports “I want to share the Tropical Botanical Garden’s Compost Village success. This past week, 336 pounds of food waste were processed and diverted from landfills and excellent spoil amendments were created for healthy gardens without polluting the soils and waterways with chemicals”.

A citizen scientist research-based project involves community members and local students who will be maintaining, monitoring, conducting research and testing. The pilot program has also expanded to additional sites up the Keys.

Combined with the Native Plant Sale from 9am to Noon each third Saturday of the month, Melody Tuschel and Keely Kessler, the Key West Recycle Coordinator, along with additional team leaders will offer a presentation and workshop with the opportunity to drop off kitchen scraps (fruits and vegetables only) at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden.

On April 19, 2025 at 9am, Melody will give a workshop on harvesting compost and its various uses at the Garden’s composting village.

​For more information on how to become involved, contact Misha McRAE, Executive Director at [email protected]. The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island.