Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden

Key West, Florida, United States

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The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, founded in 1936 during the Great Depression as a federal relief project, was created to provide jobs and stimulate tourism when Key West went bankrupt.

Initially spanning 55 acres with 7,000 exotic trees and shrubs planted under the guidance of landscape architect Ralph Ellis Gunn, the garden served as a natural conservation habitat showcasing flora native to South Florida, Cuba, and the Caribbean.

Over time, the garden was reduced in size to about 15 acres but preserved its mission as a wildlife sanctuary, cultural heritage museum, and educational center. It features dense hardwood hammocks, freshwater ponds, butterfly gardens, and multiple self-guided trails accessible by boardwalks.

The garden emphasizes the protection and study of threatened and endangered plant species in the Florida Keys and remains a vital community and tourist attraction dedicated to environmental education and conservation.​