Going Green in the Keys

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There's just something awesome about butterflies – they represent rebirth, natural beauty, quiet strength. At the Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, visitors get to walk among hundreds of butterflies in their natural habitats. Stunning, is the best way to describe it. What I did not know was that these butterflies were not gathered from the wild (Key West is as far south as you can get in the US, so it seems we have to get everything shipped in!), but it turns out that the captive breeding of butterflies is best suited for tropical climates like the Keys, and "overage" gets released into the wild to help culture our native trees, plants and shrubs. It's a fascinating place. Hours 9a.m.–5p.m. daily. Admission $12, children 4-12 $8.50, seniors and military $9, children four and under, free.

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A tropical forest at your disposal ... butterflies, birds, turtles, frogs, hummingbirds, native fragrant plants, tropical spices and herbs, geckos, anoles and dragonflies are a common sight. This botanical garden shows visitors the importance of biodiversity. Sliding suggested donation. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult can enter free.

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Bike from one side of historic Old Town Key West to the other on the two-hour Key West Bike Tour. See quaint old cottages and grand old Victorian mansions from a quieter, less hurried time. Your guide will tell you about the times when Key West was the cigar capital of the world, the Civil War, when Harry Truman vacationed here, the days of treasure salvaging, and saving wrecked ships in the 1700 and 1800s.

Visit a one-acre, Private Rain Forest Preserve replete with parrots, orchids, bamboos, stately palms and majestic mahogany trees. It is part of someone's home, and travelers rarely get to visit the grounds of a private residence - even more so, one that looks like a rain forest.

Continue on and bicycle along the beach with Cuba 90 miles to your south. There is a stop with a photo opportunity at the Southernmost Point.

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Come visit us at the Wicker Guesthouse, "The Quiet Oasis in the Heart of Old Town Key West." Our peaceful hideaway lets you enjoy our tranquil island setting, but right out your front door you'll enter the excitement of Key West's main street, Duval Street. If it's browsing art galleries, shopping, participating in water sports, enjoying the nightlife and entertainment or a beautiful sunset, it's all within walking distance. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning on our poolside deck and all rooms have a private bath. Special promotions and discounts are offered throughout the year.

As seen on

Description:

Come visit us at the Wicker Guesthouse, "The Quiet Oasis in the Heart of Old Town Key West." Our peaceful hideaway lets you enjoy our tranquil island setting, but right out your front door you'll enter the excitement of Key West's main street, Duval Street. If it's browsing art galleries, shopping, participating in water sports, enjoying the nightlife and entertainment or a beautiful sunset, it's all within walking distance. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning on our poolside deck and all rooms have a private bath. Special promotions and discounts are offered throughout the year.

As seen on

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The Key West Garden Club is housed in this Civil War-era fort tower. The club maintains a handsome garden featuring native tropical plants. Art shows and flower shows take place here regularly. An orchid show is a particular lure for connoisseurs and the like. March and November are the prime time for shows. Also in March, the club operates a tour of private gardens in the city, which gives you a chance to look at houses you'd never see otherwise. Donations are welcomed but there's no official charge.

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In 2008, the New York Times listed this as one of the top '31 Places To Go This Summer' and it will not disappoint. In 1992, the beach there was named among America's Top 10 Beaches, by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach. Bahia Honda is a days-off dream. With 492 acres, Bahia Honda boasts three sandy beaches -- some of the best in the Florida Keys, which are rare. This one is rivaled only by Marathon's Sombrero Beach. Shallow-water snorkeling and fishing from the beach, plus an abundance of wading and shore birds, kayaking and great views of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge complement the Sand and Sea Nature Center.

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Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is located offshore of the main chain of the lower Florida Keys (locally called the "Backcountry") in Monroe County Florida. It consists of numerous small islands, mostly mangrove dominated, where entire flocks of shorebirds, mergansers, terns, wading birds, bald eagles and osprey roost, nest, and loaf. A few of the islands have endangered or threatened sea turtle nesting beaches.

The refuge was established in 1938 to provide a safe haven for the great white heron and other water birds. During the early part of the century, feathers from the birds were fashionable in women's hats and lead to a dramatic decline in the beautiful birds' populations.

Today, the refuge lands, surrounded by shimmering shallow-water productive marine habitats, represent some of the last of the natural Florida Keys. In accordance with the refuge designation legislation, all islands are closed to access. In addition, over 25% of the lands in the refuge were designated as a part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1975.

Although refuge management has historically centered on the terrestrial habitats in the Backcountry, a burgeoning Florida Keys population supporting an increasingly popular tourist destination have created greater impacts to this pristine wilderness area.

To address this increased visitation (specifically from jet propelled personal watercraft, seaplane landings, water-skiing, airboats, and hovercraft) the Fish and Wildlife Service entered into an agreement with the State of Florida in 1992 to manage activities on water that were disruptive to the wildlife and wilderness character. The management agreement banned the use of these vessels within the boundaries of the refuge.

Management of the refuge is similar; with regard to issues, impacts, programs, and tools; with management of the neighboring Key West National Wildlife Refuge and overlapping National Key Deer Refuge.

The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge has a visitor center located along U.S. Highway 1 at mile marker 30. This center introduces visitors to the area's wildlife, plant life and birdlife and where boaters may explore and where they may not explore. Sea kayaking is a favorite area recreation offering a relaxing way to explore some of Florida's most pristine reaches. Outfitters dot US 1 providing guides along with gear necessary to reach the backcountry of the Keys. Excursions take the visitor to shallow flats where creatures such as spiny lobsters, stone crabs, barracudas, stingrays, and sea stars may be observed. The abundant birdlife is particularly enjoyed through a good pair of binoculars. Snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular recreations as well; rental gear is offered through private outfitters.

Located in the southern Florida Keys, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is a stretch of land and sea encompassing the Waltz Key Basin, Turkey Basin and several main channels. Boat access only. Visitor Center is located at mile marker 30 on U.S. Highway 1.

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Located directly on the beach, this small B&B offers nature-lovers a relaxed and serene environment to take in all that the Florida Keys has to offer. Every morning an all-vegetarian breakfast is served on the veranda. The nearby wooded property is perfect for animal-lovers, with wild deer wandering around often visiting the shoreline. Recreation includes diving, fishing, exploring Bahia Honda State Park or just relaxing in the shade. The rooms have high ceilings and ceiling fans with French doors overlooking the lush landscape.

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The National Key Deer Refuge consists of approximately 9,200 acres of land that includes mangrove forests, freshwater and salt marsh wetlands, pine rockland forests and tropical hardwood hammocks, as well as more than 75,000 acres of state waters co-managed to support refuge objectives. Shallow nearshore waters are included as well.

These native habitats sustain the tiny Key deer, a subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer, and 21 other threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Since the refuge was established, the Key deer, once nearing extinction because of over-hunting and habitat loss, has rebounded to a healthy population of between 600 and 700 animals.

The refuge, which is more than 50 years old, is also a stopping point for thousands of migratory birds each year, and a winter home to many North American bird species including the roseate tern and peregrine falcon. Birdwatching is one of the world's largest participatory sports, and the Keys are an ideal location for it, year-round.

Enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are welcome to walk along the nature trails in the Refuge, and maps are provided at the visitor center. As well as wearing comfortable walking shoes and weather–appropriate clothing, visitors are encouraged to bring sunscreen, a hat, bug spray, water, binoculars and field guides for bird watching.

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One of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys, Crane Point, located at mile marker 50.5 bayside,  incorporates the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys, the Florida Keys Children's Museum, nature trails, a wild bird rehabilitation center, rainforest, butterfly garden and flight habitat.

The Museum of Natural History is filled with information on the land forms of the region, the environment and how all its parts are interconnected, and the part that mankind has played, both positive and negative, on the fragile ecosystem of the Keys. A shell exhibit is intriguing, and there are dioramas explaining how it all works together. This museum and the Florida Keys Children's Museum are part of a dual attraction called The Museums of Crane Point. Admission fee is minimal and acts as donation to Crane Point.

Marathon Wild Bird Center is located inside, among the hammocks, along with six miles of nature hike trails and shoreline views. 

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Pigeon Key is a timeless, tiny island that played a tremendous role in the Florida Keys of today. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this five-acre property served as a home base for railroad workers erecting and later operating the final installment of Henry M. Flagler's Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway: the Old Seven-Mile Bridge.

Pigeon Key is reached either by foot or ferry service. Vehicles are now prohibited from driving over the old Seven Mile Bridge, so walkers revel in the 2.1-mile scenic walk to the island.   TRAVEL TIP:   You can get the best sunset and sunrise shots at this bridge!

The Pigeon Key Visitor Center and Gift Shop is located on Knight's Key, mile marker 47 oceanside. Admission to the island is only a donation of $11 per adult and proceeds benefit the Pigeon Key Foundation and its preservation and restoration efforts. It is absolutely worth the boat ride over, and is ideal for outstanding photos of the Keys.

TRAVE TIP:  A celebration to honor the historic railroad, lauded as the most unique railway in the world upon its completion, has begun in the Keys and is to culminate in January 2012, marking the 100th anniversary of Henry Flagler arriving into Key West for the first time on his namesake railroad, and in a railcar called the Rambler. Planned elements include history tours showcasing Flagler sites, bicycling expeditions, educational presentations and explorations of Pigeon Key.

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Located directly on the beach, this small B&B offers nature-lovers a relaxed and serene environment to take in all that the Florida Keys has to offer. Every morning an all-vegetarian breakfast is served on the veranda. The nearby wooded property is perfect for animal-lovers, with wild deer wandering around often visiting the shoreline. Recreation includes diving, fishing, exploring Bahia Honda State Park or just relaxing in the shade. The rooms have high ceilings and ceiling fans with French doors overlooking the lush landscape.

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The Dolphin Research Center, mile marker (MM) 57 bayside on Grassy Key, specializes in behavioral research and maintains liaisons with university research programs and independent scientists around the world.

Founded in 1984 as a not-for-profit teaching and research facility, the center and its staff have received numerous conservation awards for the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured marine mammals. With human attention and kindness, the animals return to good health and provide fun-filled programs that educate visitors about dolphins, sea lions and the environment.

Dolphin Encounter is the center's swim program, or visitors can try DolphinSplash, a wade-in program that offers the opportunity to get waist deep in the water with the dolphins. Hands-On Training, Meet the Dolphin and Paint With A Dolphin offer a wide range of interactions.

New in 2011, the facility also features a water recreation "sprayground" for families. Visitors can initiate whale, manatee and dolphin sounds while splashing through sprays of water that shoot out of marine and island-themed figures including a super-size dolphin tail. Perfect for kids of all ages!

The Dolphin Research Center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with continuous dolphin and sea lion sessions.

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At MM 56 Oceanside in Marathon is the unspoiled, uncrowded Curry Hammock State Park, with beach and picnic facilities. It is an uncrowded oceanfront preserve, with outstanding beach and recreational facilities, kayak launch site, and just an idyllic spot. Curry Hammock is fast becoming a site for launching kiteboards, a sport that is gaining momentum in the Keys, especially in Marathon and Islamorada. A small RV park has been built at Curry Hammock, with approx. two dozen sites, but the RV area's private beach is unrivaled. Quiet, quiet, quiet. And close to any and all day trips throughout the islands. Curry Hammock is still an unspoiled gem in the Middle Keys.