Florida Keys

In 2009, we assisted the Village of Islamorada, and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in the permanent protection of the 9-acre Key Tree-Cactus Preserve. This preserve is named for the endangered Key tree cactus (Pilosocereus robinii) which is found only in parts of the Keys and possibly Cuba.

The preserve will be open to the public for nature-based recreation. In addition to being part of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, the preserve is also a destination along the Keys Overseas Highway Heritage Trail and is located within The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which encompasses 2,900 square miles.

The Key tree-cactus population at the preserve is one of only eight such populations in the world. Recent surveys of the species conducted by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden documented an 80 percent decline in the populations since they were initially surveyed in 1993.

With the protection of the Key Tree-Cactus Preserve, an endangered plant is protected while the local community and tourism industry benefits from additional managed recreational space.