Fairchild is offering free admission to all visitors on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. In support of earth friendly products, The Shop at Fairchild will have a display of sustainable and recycled products for purchase and will offer a 10% discount on all items in Shop. This is the perfect opportunity to walk Fairchild’s grounds, have a family picnic, admire the monumental sculptures of Yayoi Kusama, Mark di Suvero, Cameron Gainer and Dale Chihuly or simply sit on a bench and read your favorite book while overlooking 83 acres of lush tropical paradise.
In addition to free admission, guests can take advantage of the following special offers on Earth Day!
- Fairchild will be giving away free native plants every hour on the hour when you correctly answer our Eco-Quiz.
- The movie No Impact Man, about living a green, sustainable life, will be shown several times during the day
- There will be walking and tram tours of the garden throughout the day
- New Membership Special: 50% off for new members only
Earth Day, originated by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 and now observed throughout the world, is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Fairchild serves its mission as an advocate for saving tropical plant diversity by exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants and inspiring a greater knowledge and love for plants and gardening so that all can enjoy the beauty and bounty of the tropical world.
Some of Fairchild’s highlights include the Vine Pergola, where a display of some of the most amazing flowering vines can be seen in bloom year-round; The Palm Allée and the Overlook, where shady passages open up to sunny views overlooking Fairchild’s lakes, giving the impression of indefinite space; The rainforest, where the soothing sound of waterfalls and the cool shade make it a summer must-see; and, of course, the Bailey Palm Glade which has become one of the most popular photos spots, because of its breathtaking view of Fairchild’s lakes and lowland areas.
The oldest major cultural institution in Miami-Dade County, Fairchild was incorporated in Florida in 1936 and opened to the public in 1938. Fairchild was named for Dr. David Fairchild, the nation’s foremost economic botanist and founder of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Plant Introduction Section, who retired to Miami. Many of the plants still growing at Fairchild were collected and planted by Dr. Fairchild, including a giant African baobab tree near the historical Gate House Museum.
About Fairchild
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. It is one of the premier conservation and education-based gardens in the world and a recognized international leader in both Florida and international conservation. Currently Fairchild has field programs in over 20 countries including support to protected areas in Madagascar and Africa and botanic garden development and renovation projects in South and Central America, the Caribbean and Middle East. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden houses palm and cycad collections that are nationally recognized by the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), has the world’s greatest living collection of palms and cycads; an education program reaching more than 52,000 school children per year; hosts popular events like the International Chocolate Festival, International Mango Festival and International Orchid Festival, the Ramble, concerts, affiliated plant society shows and sales and more; and, is a not-for-profit organization relying on the support of its 45,000 members and benefactors. Fairchild hosts major art events such as Yayoi Kusama at Fairchild this year, Mark di Suvero, Fernando Botero, Dale Chihuly and Kris Martin at Fairchild in 2008, Botero, Lichtenstein and Chihuly at Fairchild in 2007 and Chihuly at Fairchild in 2005 and 2006. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables (Miami), Florida 33156, just a thirty minute drive from South Beach. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children 6-17 and free to children 5 and under and Fairchild members. For more information, please visit www.fairchildgarden.org and on Facebook and Twitter.