Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Throughout the various ecosystems of the world, there exists a multitude of exotic plant life, much of which is threatened by human activity and development. Tropical regions are among the most highly threatened, as tropical ecosystems hold a number of valuable resources that attract human intervention. The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a unique botanical garden in the Miami area with the mission of saving tropical plant diversity and researching the sustainability of the amazing plant life that thrives in tropical climates. The garden is a huge tourist attraction with more than 45,000 members and 1,200 volunteers.

Forming the Fairchild Garden

The Fairchild Botanical Garden was established by Robert H. Montgomery in 1936. It was named for Montgomery’s friend, David Fairchild, who was a plant explorer and collector, who brought more than 20,000 plant species to the United States. The garden was first opened to the public in 1938, and it has grown to cover 83 acres of land with a variety of tropical plant life.

Extensive rare collections

One of the distinguishing features of the garden is the rarity of the plants within the collections of palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines. The garden’s newest exhibit, the Wings of the Tropics, shows off the exotic butterflies that dwell in tropical regions.

Research and conservation

While garden is a privately owned attraction, it also serves as a conservation center for tropical plants facing extinction. The garden maintains active partnerships with Florida International University, University of Florida, University of Miami, and Miami Dade College to facilitate active research and conservation programs.