{"id":2988,"date":"2013-06-03T09:23:12","date_gmt":"2013-06-03T16:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/?post_type=article&p=2988"},"modified":"2013-06-03T14:48:49","modified_gmt":"2013-06-03T21:48:49","slug":"fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden-at-75-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/somimag.com\/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden-at-75-years\/","title":{"rendered":"FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN AT 75 YEARS"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/a>

MEET DAVID FAIRCHILD<\/strong>\u00a0AND TAKE A WALK WITH<\/strong>\u00a0SOMI MAGAZINE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

OBSERVING SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF\u00a0<\/b>FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN<\/b><\/p>\nDedication ceremony, March 23, 1938\n

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is commemorating an important year in its role as a horticultural and cultural diamond in South Florida. Beginning with their kick-off event in March 2013, the year-long party, which will end in March 2014, features an event-filled calendar to celebrate the garden\u2019s 75th anniversary. Offerings include historic trams and walking tours, lectures and musical performances along with the Fairchild\u2019s regular programs and events. Favorite festivals such as the Chocolate, Mango, Orchid, Food and Garden, and Edible Garden remain on the schedule, as well as the Ramble, art exhibits, plant shows and afternoon teas.\u00a0 \u201cWe are marking an important historic milestone, recognizing the incredible growth now underway and pushing our mission forward into the future in innovative ways. There has never been a more exciting time at Fairchild,\u201d said Dr. Carl Lewis, Director of Fairchild.<\/p>\nThe Montgomery\u2019s walking with David Fairchild at the dedication.\nDavid Fairchild planting the Baobab tree.\n

THE GARDEN IS PLANTED<\/b>
\nThis popular 83-acre paradise within the larger paradise of South Florida was founded by Colonel Robert Montgomery and named in honor of Dr. David Fairchild on March 23, 1938. Fairchild served as the Head of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the United States Department of Agriculture from 1897 to 1928. Referred to in government publications as \u201cAgricultural Explorer,\u201d Fairchild was just that and one of the most influential horticulturalists and plant collectors in the country. Traveling extensively, he collected and introduced more than 30,000 varieties and species of plants to the U.S. Many of the original plants he brought to the garden continue to grow to this day. Currently, Fairchild supports some 22,800 catalogued plants that comprise more than 3,400 species\u2014a phenomenal increase from the 1939 inventory of 692 plants and 243 species. Fairchild\u2019s palm and cycad collection are among the greatest in the world.<\/p>\n

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has always kept sight of the founders\u2019 original intent of exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. Once, this place of refuge was something of a passive experience, but today it has evolved into a venue that includes many opportunities for interactive experiences. In addition to being an essential community resource, it is a premier conservation, educational and cultural center that annually hosts 400,000 visitors and over 100,000 school children. Membership has grown over the years, from 285 in 1939, to 1,000 in 1993, to an impressive 45,000 today.<\/p>\n

Dr. Lewis, remarking on the Fairchild\u2019s progress since the 1938 dedication said, \u201cDuring the 75 years that followed, the transformation of our landscapes and programs has been astounding. We are now a stronger, livelier and more renowned institution than any of our founders anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\nArboretum – Now\nArboretum – Then\n

PAUL AND SWANEE DIMARE
\nSCIENCE VILLAGE<\/b>
\nOne example that underscores Dr. Lewis\u2019 observation is the Paul and Swanee DiMare Science Village. Opened in December 2012, the new complex is dedicated to the expansion of the Fairchild\u2019s scientific mission. More than 25,000 square feet of land are devoted to the village, laboratories, classrooms and an impressive 40-foot high butterfly and hummingbird conservatory. Students enrolled at the University of Miami, Florida International University and the University of Florida will attend classes here to study genetic research, climate modeling, plant propagation and animal life, among other related disciplines. The goal\u00a0for Fairchild is to become a hub for undergraduate and\u00a0graduate studies.<\/p>\nBailey Palm Glade – Now\nBailey Palm Glade – Then\n

Visitors, too, have the opportunity to appreciate and learn from the conservatory thanks to the garden\u2019s highly trained volunteer corps. The lushly landscaped conservatory complete with a stream, tropical plants and rare orchids is home to a profusion of exotic butterflies gliding serenely from plant to plant; the adjacent laboratory provides insight into the lifecycle of the butterfly as it metamorphoses from pupa to adult.<\/p>\n

EDUCATING FUTURE GENERATIONS <\/b>
\nEducation remains at the center of the Fairchild\u2019s mission. The Fairchild Challenge is an education program for students from elementary through high school from 250 schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The Challenge, an annual, standards-based environmental outreach program, offers a menu of multidisciplinary challenges for over 100,000 students of diverse backgrounds. The goal is to foster an interest in the environment by providing the students the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and value of nature; develop critical-thinking skills; understand the need for biodiversity and conservation; tap community resources; become actively engaged citizens; and recognize that individuals make the difference. The Challenge promotes science, literacy, and creative expression while developing lifelong learning in students. A competitive program, the 16 top-scoring elementary, middle and high schools are awarded $250 to $1,000 for their environmental programs.<\/p>\nHurricane Andrew\u2019s devastation (1992)\nHurricane Andrew\u2019s devastation (1992)\n

A FORCE OF NATURE<\/b>
\nThe life of the Fairchild, much like our own lives, has been shaped not only by good intentions, but by forces over which there is little to no control. Hurricane Andrew, the literal and figurative watershed by which many South Floridians measure their personal history, also had a profound impact on the garden. Roaring in with winds at 145 mph, gusting to 175 mph (with some micro-blasts estimated at 212 mph), this late August 1992 monster focused its destruction along a 30-mile wide swath through Cutler Ridge, Homestead and Florida City. The Fairchild Garden was well within the storm\u2019s path. In a recent Miami Herald article, Dr. Lewis speaks about the hurricane\u2019s impact on the Fairchild and the community\u2019s reaction to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere have been a lot of milestones, but the one that stands out as a turning point was Hurricane Andrew. That was a point where the garden got a lot of support from the community here in South Florida and elsewhere. The scientific community made it clear how many friends of the garden there were out there. If we look at the diversity of plants in the collection, there has been a steady increase. This dipped after the hurricane and picked up again. If you look at the progress of the garden and contrast that with photos of the devastation, it\u2019s amazing the resilience in the way the garden recovered.\u00a0We had hundreds of volunteers that literally propped the trees back up,\u201d\u00a0said Dr. Lewis.<\/p>\nA young student observing at the Butterfly Metamorphosis Lab.
The Science Village opened in December 2012 and includes new laboratories, The Clinton Family Conservatory with the Wings of the Tropics butterfly exhibit, and the Tropical Plant Conservatory and Tropical Fruit Pavilion.\n

BALANCING ART\u00a0AND NATURE<\/b>
\n\u201cArt at Fairchild,\u201d began in 2005 with an exhibit of Dale Chihuly\u2019s ethereal blown glass pieces placed around the garden as man-made complements to the hand of nature. Several of Chihuly\u2019s works remain in the garden as \u201clegacy\u201d art. Other art projects followed, including \u201cSitting Naturally,\u201d a collection of cleverly-designed benches that function as both seating and works of art. From this initial foray of combining art with Mother Nature, a larger-scale cultural project was born. The new Rose-McQuillan Arts Building, scheduled to open December 2013, was made possible by a major gift of $4 million from Adam R. Rose and Peter R. McQuillan. The 3,000 square foot multi-purpose building now under construction will provide a venue for art exhibitions and musical performances.<\/p>\n

Mr. Rose, who is on the board of the New York Botanical Garden said, \u201cThe thing that really grabbed us was the notion that you might come to Fairchild because it\u2019s sort of a park, but you might stay because of something else \u2014 that you might come for a gardening class and discover chamber music or an art show.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\nNamed after its donor, the Jean Ellen duPont Shehan VISITOR CENTER was opened in 2002. Ms. Shehan, a philanthropist and supporter of national and local charities, served on FTBG Board of Trustees before her death in 2011.\nDale Chihuly sculpture, End of the Day Tower which is among several pieces which are still on exhibit.\n

IT TAKES A VILLAGE<\/b>
\nAnyone with a garden, no matter how small, knows the amount of labor involved in maintaining it. Just imagine caring for gardens spread out on 83 acres. The staff and volunteers at Fairchild operate, tend, educate, conserve, fund-raise, publicize and entertain so that the hundreds of thousands of visitors, students, scientists and event-goers realize a quality experience while on site. The Fairchild also conducts field programs in 20 countries throughout the tropical world.<\/p>\n

Of the volunteer corps, Dr. Lewis said, \u201cOur success and growth would not be possible without a great deal of help from our community. Our volunteers are part of everything we do at Fairchild, from behind-the-scenes horticulture and conservation work to visitor services and K-12 education.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\nNow under construction, the Adam R. Rose and Peter R. McQuillan Arts Center is scheduled to open in late 2013.\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MEET DAVID FAIRCHILD\u00a0AND TAKE A WALK WITH\u00a0SOMI MAGAZINE. OBSERVING SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF\u00a0FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is commemorating an important year in its role as a horticultural and cultural diamond in South Florida. Beginning with their kick-off event in March 2013, the year-long party, which will end in March 2014, features an<\/p>\n

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