Want to help celebrate the 20th “birthday” of the fabulous Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory? Then be at 1316 Duval St. between midmorning and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, for a kid-centric family fun day and free admission to the renowned attraction.

Twenty years ago, in January 2003, business partners George Fernandez and Sam Trophia debuted the 13,000-square-foot Key West facility — a wonderland devoted to the creatures sometimes called “flowers of the sky.”

The founders’ goal was simple yet profound: to educate and inspire visitors, who typically range from tiny children to seniors, by providing a close-up look at the incredible wonders of the butterfly world. Today, 20 years later, the conservatory still does just that.

In a climate-controlled 5,000-square-foot glass-enclosed habitat, it houses many hundreds of live butterflies from more than 60 species, plus over 20 varieties of exotic birds, in a breathtaking tropical garden that calls to mind a perfect, unspoiled rainforest.

Entering the facility, you’ll first explore educational displays that offer insights into aspects of the butterfly’s life — identification and country of origin, anatomy and physiology, and the awe-inspiring annual migration of the Monarchs.

But you’ll really feel the magic when you step into the butterfly habitat itself. There you can stroll among hundreds of delicate winged creatures, ranging from the glittering Blue Morpho to the vivid Emerald Swallowtail, as they soar and dip and dance between thousands of tropical plants and trees. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re following their mesmerizing flight — and if you’re lucky, one of the colorful “flowers” might flutter to rest briefly on your arm or shoulder.

However, that’s not all. In one corner of the habitat, you can watch butterflies actually being born — getting a rare glimpse of the hatching process through the wide windows of the “miracle of metamorphosis” observatory.

Actually, the “hatching” of the center was as intricate and intriguing as that of a butterfly. George and Sam spent many years planning it, took research trips to 13 butterfly facilities throughout the world, and invested significant amounts of money and creativity into making it as perfect as possible.

In July of 2013, some other unique creatures joined the butterflies at the acclaimed attraction: two pink flamingos.

A male and a female, the breathtaking pink birds were bred in Toronto. Coincidentally, since the species is often associated with love and romance, the pair was born on Valentine’s Day 2012. Ultimately, they were dubbed Rhett and Scarlett.

Visitors can watch the lovely birds in their private pond as they “dance” — gently moving their feet to stir up food in the water — and enjoy their lives in the rainforest-like habitat.

As well as flamingos and butterflies, the conservatory also houses a stunning collection of Sam Trophia’s butterfly art. He has spent more than three decades preserving the beauty of the winged creatures in original artwork.

If you’re in Key West for the Jan. 21 “birthday party,” as well as viewing the conservatory’s inhabitants you can enjoy crafts and activities for kids and families, picnic-style food, games, giveaways and plenty of other fun for all ages.

But if you can’t be there in January, don’t worry — the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is open year-round with offerings that include daily explorations, guided twilight tours and super-popular small-group “flamingle” encounters with Rhett and Scarlett.

So get a VIP preview here, and put the natural wonderland on the must-see list for your next trip to Key West. You’ll be SO glad you did!

The community of Marathon, located in the Middle Florida Keys, features wonderful wildlife rehabilitation facilities, a lively performance theater and a variety of cozy inns, luxury resorts, waterside vacation homes, RV parks, marinas and casual dining emporiums.

When you visit the Middle Keys, you’ll also find creative spaces, natural attractions, scenic parks, trails, sightseeing spots and historic sites that make for an appealing blend of heritage, culture and nature. For example …

Crane Point Hammock Museum & Nature Trail. Recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 63.5-acre tract at 5550 Overseas Highway (mile marker 50.5) is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Florida Keys — it even contains evidence of prehistoric Indian artifacts, and once was the site of a Bahamian village. The attraction’s on-site Adderly House, built in 1904 as a classic Bahamian-style home, is the oldest Keys house outside of Key West (and it’s listed on the National Register too).

Also on-site stands a bright-red Florida East Coast Railway train car, located at the site of Marathon’s original train station, and the Crane House that dates back to 1954. The Crane House, renovated in late 2021, is the Keys’ first venue outside of Key West to earn the Historic Florida Keys Foundation star designation. Surrounding the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys and the Florida Keys Children’s Museum are a kayak launch, shaded nature trails and natural habitat for birds and butterflies. Ask about the completely unique “fish pedicure” — you’ll be glad you did!

Marathon Wild Bird Center. Within Crane Point’s captivating flora is the small facility whose volunteers and local veterinarians have rescued or protected an amazing 22,000-plus wild birds such as hawks, ospreys, spoonbills and egrets. Injured birds are nursed back to health and released. Visitors not only help this very worthy center by exploring, but also support efforts through donating medical supplies including bandages and tapes, bird carriers, fresh fish and bird food (as well as money).

Marathon Community Theatre. Started as a small community group in 1944, the theater has grown to perform many shows each year — all spotlighting a talented group of local residents. Comedies, musicals, dramatic presentations and readings are offered at the popular spot, with most productions staged between October and April (“The Rocky Horror Show” debuts Oct. 27). The theater is located at 5101 Overseas Highway, mile marker 49.5 oceanside.

Old Seven Mile Bridge. Enjoy one of the Middle Keys’ most iconic experiences: cycle, walk, run, rollerblade, view marine life and watch sunrises and sunsets along a 2.2-mile section of the famed Old Seven Mile Bridge. The venerable old bridge, originally the centerpiece of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad that was completed in 1912, parallels a contemporary bridge that’s part of the Keys’ Overseas Highway. Nicknamed “Old Seven,” the oft-photographed 2.2-mile span reopened to pedestrian recreation in January 2022 after a multiyear restoration. Essentially a linear park, it’s the gateway to historic Pigeon Key.

Pigeon Key. Lying beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge at mile marker 44.8, Pigeon Key formerly served as a camp for laborers constructing the iconic bridge. The tiny island now features a museum, offers opportunities to picnic and snorkel, and hosts a marine science research program for school-age children. Daily tours are available. Reach Pigeon Key by walking or bicycling the Old Seven Mile Bridge, or by riding the recently launched visitor tram designed to resemble a train.

Shady Palm Art Gallery & Photography. Savor a leisurely exploration of this one-stop-shop emporium located at 2888 Overseas Highway. Owners Barry and Lori Gaukel feature only Keys artists, artisans and creative minds in the spacious gallery and gift shop. Each of over 50 local artists creates bold, unique pieces that include paintings, prints, jewelry, pottery, woodcarving, coconut art and much more. Shady Palm is the perfect place to purchase a memento to remember your Middle Keys visit.

Want to discover more enticing attractions in Marathon and the Middle Keys? Just click here and then start planning your visit!

Encouraging actions that support the environment is a vital element of the Florida Keys’ commitment to protecting the island chain’s natural resources. And from Big Pine Key to Key West, you’ll find a wide variety of positive environmental activities and attractions that illustrate how to share that commitment.

So put these Lower Keys and Key West eco-experiences, recommended by guest blogger Sydney Cook, on your bucket list.

Tour Grimal Grove and sample exotic fruits. On Big Pine Key, the 2-acre fruit farm Grimal Grove — billed as the first and only breadfruit grove in the continental United States — offers 90-minute guided tropical fruit excursions showcasing species of subtropical and tropical fruits, trees and plants. You can sample sweet and sour exotic fruits (including breadfruit!) and learn about 1950s-era hermit Adolf Grimal, a recluse who designed Old Grimal Estate at 258 Cunningham Lane.

Spot tiny, endangered Key deer in the Lower Keys’ National Key Deer Refuge. In 1957 the refuge was established to protect and preserve habitats for wildlife — particularly the tiny shy Key deer, about the size of a large dog, that are often seen grazing around Big Pine Key. The refuge’s 9,000-plus acres include mangrove forests, freshwater and salt marsh wetlands, pine rockland forests and tropical hardwood hammocks. Stop by the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Nature Center, located on Big Pine near mile marker 30.5, for a “porch visit” Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Observe wildlife at the Blue Hole. Find this secluded oasis off Big Pine’s Key Deer Boulevard, just 3 miles north of its intersection with the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. An abandoned quarry, the Blue Hole exposes the Keys’ unique freshwater lens and attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Tiny Key deer drink there, while other occupants include alligators, turtles, snakes, fish and a variety of birds. Enjoy the view from the observation platform or venture along the forested edges of the walking trail.

Dive or snorkel at Looe Key Reef. This unique preserve is named for HMS Looe, a British frigate that ran aground in 1744. The waters surrounding the reef provide spectacular views of sponges, soft corals, vibrant elkhorn and staghorn coral thickets and a large array of fish. Looe Key Reef Resort & Dive Center at mile marker 27.5, and other Lower Keys commercial charters, provide excursions to Looe Key. Plus, the reef is the site of the annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival!

Learn about the Lower Keys’ reef ecosystem. Mote Marine Laboratory’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration, located at 24244 Overseas Highway on Summerland Key, has partnered with local dive center Captain Hook’s to provide ”Mote on the Boat” reef experiences for snorkelers and divers with leading coral science experts. Program participants can visit Mote’s facility for a tour after exploring Looe Key Reef.

Take a clear kayak tour through mangrove mazes. Enjoy a 2- to 2.5-hour guided kayaking adventure through scenic mangrove mazes while a guide points out marine life. Sea turtles, nurse sharks, starfish, conchs and more can be spotted from the 100% see-through kayaks. Tours depart three times each day from Sugarloaf Key Marina, located at 17015 Overseas Highway in the Lower Keys.

Get immersed in nature at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. At the gateway to Key West lies a secluded 15-acre conservation habitat and subtropical botanical garden. Just off College Road at mile marker 5 bayside on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, the garden features more than 6,000 rare and endangered plants and trees — and provides habitat for 39 butterfly species and 202 native and migratory bird species. Explore 12 self-guided nature trails and boardwalks, two 1.5-acre butterfly habitats, two freshwater ponds, a Cuban palm exhibit and more.

Observe dolphins in the wild with Honest Eco Sustainable Nature Tours. Get aboard SQUID, Key West’s first electric-powered charter boat, for an eco-friendly four-hour dolphin watching and snorkeling tour. SQUID is a lithium-ion battery–powered hybrid charter boat with electric motors. Tours depart twice daily from the Key West Historic Seaport, are guided by biologists, and include premium snorkeling gear and organic fruit and veggies.

Go biking — on the water! Powered purely by human effort, hydrobikes provide a new way to explore the waters around Key West. Guided and unguided tours are offered by Key West Hydrobikes, whose tours depart from LagerHeads at 0 Simonton St. The average speed is about 4 to 6 mph as you cruise calm waters on the stable, pedal-powered nonmotorized water bikes.

Looking for more eco-experiences in the Florida Keys? Just click here.

Florida Keys visitors can discover a place embracing sustainability and the preservation of environmental wonders, filled with hammocks and rainforest areas, sandy beaches and on-the-water relaxation. In the vast openness of the islands, seclusion is a natural choice and horizons are endless.

If you’re seeking on-the-water activities, kayaking and paddleboarding combine mind and body relaxation, healthful exercise and eco-experiences. Ambitious stand-up paddlers can catch tradewinds on a “downwinder” to cover distance — or use a board as a fishing or yoga platform when winds are nonexistent.

And let’s face it … few paddling experiences are more quietly enjoyable than isolated tours through backcountry flats and along the clear, shallow fringes of mangrove forests.

The Florida Keys also are among the world’s top destinations for year-round bird watching. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Long Key State Park and Dry Tortugas National Park are among Keys native habitat stops along the South Florida segment of the Great Florida Birding Trail. You can view migrating species such as warblers, white-crowned pigeons, year-round tidal waders and spring-nesting sea birds, terns, noddies, boobies and resident mangrove cuckoos and roseate spoonbills.

The Lower Keys’ National Key Deer Refuge’s 9,000-plus acres of mangrove forests, freshwater and salt marsh wetlands, pine rockland forests and tropical hardwood hammocks are an annual stopping point for thousands of migratory birds, as well as a winter home for many North American bird species.

In the Middle Keys’ Curry Hammock State Park, it’s possible to view or count thousands of falcons, raptors and eagles that fly through the Keys each fall between mid-September and early November — one of the country’s most prolific annual migration destinations for peregrine falcons.

The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1938, provides safe nesting and breeding areas for great white herons (America’s largest wading bird) and other migratory birds and wildlife. Stretching between Key West and Marathon, the refuge features more than 375 square miles of open water and islands in the Gulf of Mexico — so primary access is by kayak, canoe or shallow-draft boat.

As well as being a mecca for birding enthusiasts, the Florida Keys contain several organizations that are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of native and migratory birds back to the wild. The nonprofit Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Key West Wildlife Center and Marathon Wild Bird Center provide sanctuary for sick, injured and orphaned birds, and permanent habitat for some that can’t safely return to the wild.

Also in Marathon is the 63-acre Crane Point Hammock Museum and Nature Trails, a subtropical oasis of hardwood trees, educational displays, and trails where you can take a refreshing walk through history and nature.

Located at mile marker 50.5 bayside, Crane Point’s slightly elevated patch of hammock is where Bahamian immigrant George Adderley and his family set up a homestead in the early 20th century. Built of tabby concrete incorporating burnt seashells, the home sheltered the Adderleys from 1903 until 1949.

The home and its beautiful surroundings remain, and are a popular stop along the 2.5 miles of trails and wooden walkways crisscrossing the hammock. Stroll along the rustic interpretive nature trails to discover endangered native foliage, unusual geologic features, colorful exotic vegetation and even ancient ocean fossils.

Whether on land or water, the Keys’ natural world provides the rejuvenation that comes from time spent outdoors — and this unique environment is just waiting to be discovered. To learn more about exploring it, just click here.

Florida Keys residents who live among the island chain’s natural wonders — including the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef, an environmental treasure that parallels the Keys — are committed to protecting and nurturing them.

Maybe it’s because the people of the tiny Keys islands live so close to the ocean, almost instinctively absorbing the rhythms of the tides and subtle seasonal changes. Or it might be that residents who love the Keys forge personal connections to the unique environment and therefore are motivated to preserve it.

Whatever the reason, scores of locals from Key Largo to Key West enrich their days with eco-activities and experiences — and many have become stewards of the Keys’ natural world and way of life, passionate and proactive about protecting those elements.

They include sustainable fishing and dive charter operators, hoteliers and innkeepers who manage green-focused properties, coral restoration innovators, leaders in “voluntourism,” wildlife rehabilitation experts and those who offer on-the-water eco-tours and cultural excursions.

Many impart their earth-friendly mindset to visitors, encouraging them to share the local passion for conservation while having memorable vacation experiences.

For example, Captain Bill Keogh, owner-operator of Big Pine Kayak Adventures, takes clients on kayak eco-tours of the Lower Keys’ pristine backcountry — where he delights in opening their eyes and minds to the beauty and pace of the natural world.

Bette Zirkelbach at Marathon’s Turtle Hospital, the world’s first state-licensed veterinary hospital for sea turtles, is dedicated to healing ill or injured turtles. Every day she inspires visitors touring the hospital to discover their own passion for the endangered reptiles.

The Keys offer travelers a remarkable variety of earth- and sea-friendly options to enjoy, guided by residents who cherish their close-to-nature lifestyle, strive to preserve it and have intriguing stories to tell.

They include Captain Billy Litmer of Honest Eco Tours, whose sense of environmental responsibility led him to design and build Key West’s first electric-powered charter boat for sustainable dolphin-watching excursions.

Artists too are guardians of the Keys’ natural world. Michelle Nicole Lowe is known for the vivid images of indigenous fish, birds and sea turtles found in her Islamorada gallery. Painted with skill and sensitivity, her pieces underscore the need to protect those creatures and their habitats.

You can discover the islands’ unique environment — and meet the people who have become its stewards — during eco-travel experiences, paddleboard treks, explorations of wildlife refuges and rehabilitation centers, soft-adventure activities and visits to environmental attractions.

Meet coral restoration leaders who are replanting new growths from coral nurseries to the reef, learn about their vital work and assist in their efforts during Keys voluntourism experiences. Dive or fish with a certified Blue Star operator, increasing your awareness about environmentally responsible dive techniques and catch-and-release fishing.

Or explore the campus and exhibits at Key Largo’s Reef Environmental Education Foundation, where experts like Dr. Alli Candelmo share their commitment to marine conservation through citizen science, informative programs, research and special events like the annual REEF Fest.

Throughout the Keys, you can revel in nature’s richness, immerse yourself in eco-experiences, enjoy opportunities for volunteer and learning vacations, and discover why local residents are so passionate about protecting their environment and lifestyle.

This year is the perfect time to make (or deepen) your own connection with the Florida Keys’ fascinating natural world, and start adopting practices that preserve it. Once you do, you too will become a steward of the Keys.

Jordan Budnik, executive director of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center in Tavernier, has already achieved at age 29 what she hoped to accomplish perhaps in her pre-retirement years.

An Atlanta native, she landed her first full-time job in the Keys as the center’s education coordinator in May 2017 after graduating from college. A couple of months later, Jordan was promoted to assistant director. A year later, she became executive director — overseeing a 10-person staff, several interns and volunteers.

Jordan admits her professional success has “blown her entire game plan,” but the job of rehabilitating Keys wild birds fills her with daily gratitude. The center’s Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary currently cares for about 85 non-releasable injured birds, while the nearby affiliated Mission Wild Bird Hospital has treated more than 730 this year.

Birds have been a lifelong fascination for Jordan. From age 11 to 18, she volunteered at Zoo Atlanta tending to birds, educating the public about birds and working with the zoo’s free-flighted bird show.

“Birds are like a flying puzzle,” she said. “There’s so much we don’t know; they’re a mystery. Every bird species is unique.”

In the future, Jordan hopes to expand the center’s Mission Wild Bird Hospital to further develop hospital medical treatment for injured Keys birds.

Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?

Jordan Budnik: At 20, I visited on a weekend trip to Key West with my aunt and cousin. It was my first time seeing mangroves and the diverse marine life taking shelter in their roots.

KV: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you?

JB: The native wildlife steals my heart every day — as does my Keys community of locals.  

KV: Who or what inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys’ natural world?

JB: Nature itself. Mentors and my family supported that passion, giving me opportunities leading me here. The Keys are part of the Atlantic Flyway, a major north-south migration path for birds, contain the Florida Keys Reef Tract — today known as Florida’s Coral Reef — and our neighbor Everglades National Park. We live in one of the most unique places on this planet. In many ways, our natural world is in trouble. I want to help protect it.

KV: How does that passion influence your work or profession?

JB: Passion for the outdoors is as contagious as laughter. I try to incorporate education and outreach in my job whenever possible, not only because I wish to share that joy but because teaching others how to be good stewards of the environment is essential to its preservation.

KV: What are some of the ways, personally or through your work, that you connect with and/or help protect the local environment and unique lifestyle?

JB: Directing a wildlife nonprofit, I have the chance to devote my time to the environment every day and hire people sharing that desire to make a difference. The remarkable Bird Center staff takes in over 900 native birds in need of rehabilitation every year. Our organization facilitates the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program for Monroe County, keeping fishing hooks and lines out of the environment.

KV: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?

JB: I do not want to be a bystander to the larger environmental problems our world is facing. If I have the power to do something good in the world, I need to do it. Wildlife does not have a voice. It is up to us to advocate for them.

KV: What do you hope your positive environmental actions will accomplish?

JB: I hope my work with the center will help reverse some of the damage we humans have caused. Most of the birds that come through our doors are here because of people.

KV: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?

JB: Kayaking through mangrove tunnels. Plus, it is a great way to pull out hard-to-reach trash from the mangroves.

KV: What message do you want your actions and example to communicate to people you encounter?

JB: We as humans cannot divorce ourselves from the natural world. Often, people believe they are powerless to enact meaningful changes, but even small actions in our daily lives have a ripple effect. The worst thing we can do is to do nothing.

Harry Appel co-owns Big Pine Key’s eco-friendly, boutique Deer Run on the Atlantic, the Florida Keys’ only designated “Four-Palm” Green Lodging Property — earning the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s highest designation for protecting the state’s natural resources.

Veganism is a key component of the Deer Run experience. Years ago Jen DeMaria, today Harry’s partner-fiancée, took him to The White Pig, a bed-and-breakfast in Virginia where the owner nurtures pot-bellied pigs.

During the visit, Harry and the pigs played a game of kickball.

“We made an eye-to-eye connection,” Harry recalled. “That was it. That moment changed my life, thanks to Jen.”

The couple, who met in their home state of New Jersey, bought Deer Run 17 years ago after frequent stays at the oceanfront Lower Keys inn.

As well as an environmentalist, Harry is a man of contrasts.

A grandson of frugal Siberian and Italian immigrants, he grew up in New Jersey’s rural farm country of Gloucester County. As a teenager, he worked for the founder of the Maaco auto painting and AAMCO Transmissions companies and owned various muscle cars. In New Jersey he founded Appel Automotive Inc., a fleet service center for police and emergency vehicles. He’s also raced speedboats in the Keys.

Today, Harry is an avid animal activist. He’s deeply involved with the nonprofit Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys as president and main permit holder for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. He’s also a Key Deer Protection Alliance advisor.

Harry currently works with the Alachua Conservation Trust on a Lower Keys pilot project to naturally restore beach habitats. He’s served on the Monroe County Climate Change Advisory Committee, the Florida Keys Scenic Corridor Alliance and two tourism boards.

Deer Run, one of only a handful of Florida properties with the four-palm designation, is the only one in the state that’s independently owned.

Guests at the off-the-beaten-path property on Big Pine Key seek out “a place that’s quiet and with a nice beach. We run it small, clean and fun,” Harry said. “I tell our guests to travel lightly throughout the Keys because no matter where you step, there’s something living here.”

Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?

Harry Appel: My first trip was in 1974 with three friends for a post-high-school-graduation getaway.

KV: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you?

HA: The relatively rural aspect of the island chain, ocean and year-round beautiful weather.

KV: Who or what inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys’ natural world?

HA: Living side-by-side with and surrounded by diverse wildlife including endangered species — some found nowhere else in the world. Key deer and sea turtles are very high on my list of wildlife inspirations as I have so much exposure to them. The deer are so gentle and beautiful, while sea turtles still manage to survive over 100 million years in spite of the damaging hand of man.

KV: How does that passion influence your work or profession?

HA: Far more needs to be done to protect all animals including wildlife, marine life and their habitat. With an apparent acceleration of a downward trajectory regarding environmental concerns, I feel an urgent need to be as involved as possible.

KV: What are some of the ways, personally or through your work, that you connect with and/or help protect the local environment and unique lifestyle?

HA: Providing many years of community outreach throughout the Keys through government, citizens, independent businesses and schools by teaching ways we can help sea turtles and their habitat. I’ve also built a strong relationship with world-renowned marine artist Wyland, raising money for both Save-A-Turtle and his nonprofit Wyland Foundation.

KV: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?

HA: Our Earth is in dire straits; there is not a moment to waste. We all need to focus on an authentic sustainable path and live mindfully. Having grandchildren keeps me focused, as I have a moral obligation toward them and future generations. What I do is not always easy, but I know it is right.

KV: What do you hope your positive environmental actions will accomplish?

HA: To inspire people to go vegan, and to care about more than themselves, bringing them to action.

KV: What message do you want your actions and example to communicate to people you encounter?

HA: Go vegan. Get involved in community causes. Think about more than yourself and your own immediate circle of life.

KV: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?

HA: Be it land or sea, observing nature.

Jeanne Selander oversees the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm at the Stock Island Detention Center — believed to be the United States’ only facility of its kind on jailhouse property — and the care of 150 animals including 17-year-old Mo the Sloth.

Jeanne grew up on James Island near Charleston, South Carolina. As a child, she nurtured a small menagerie of animals and got her first pony at age 7. She was an equestrian team member at the College of Charleston.

During the past 15 years, “Farmer Jeannie” has mentored more than 1,500 low-risk detention center inmates who assist her with animal care. While the farm is a USDA-certified zoo, it’s really more of a sanctuary for abused, neglected and abandoned animals that become “forever residents.”

Animal farm charges include an ostrich, an emu, lemurs, kinkajous, horses and countless others. Jeanne has done five solo caretaking stints of two to four weeks each during the pandemic.

Through the years, she’s spent nights hunkered down in a sleeping bag in an on-site shed during approaching storms. She’s coaxed horses and alpacas onto an elevator in the detention center, where the animals were sheltered in cells (the inmates were evacuated) and under her solo care during and after 2017’s Hurricane Irma.

Jeanne, who admits she gets bored quickly, has trained horses and been a scuba diving instructor, environmental consultant, shrimp farmer on an aquaculture farm and zoo aquarium diver — as well as working at the Key West Aquarium.

Eventually, Florida Keys veterinarian Dr. Doug Mader convinced her to accompany him on rounds at the sheriff’s facility. It got its start in 1994, when a deputy suggested moving neighborhood ducks to a space underneath the jail to protect them from traffic, and evolved as residents dropped off various animals.

Jeanne saw its potential and today is dedicated to sharing it with others.

The farm, which survives primarily on donations, is currently closed but the reopening date is to be announced soon. Meanwhile, “Farmer Jeannie” is spearheading facility upgrades.

But her dedication to animals doesn’t just infuse her professional life. In her spare time, Jeanne fosters and provides hospice care for senior Chihuahuas — and currently has seven Chihuahuas and one Yorkshire terrier.

Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?

Jeanne Selander: In 1992, for a coral reef biology class while at the College of Charleston. I moved to the Keys in 1998 with a degree in marine biology, and was the assistant curator of the Key West Aquarium for seven years.

KV: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you?

JS: My favorite aspect is that we are rather isolated. I love the small, close-knit community — that we help each other out and, no matter where you go, you always see someone you know. The best part is that this is such an animal-loving community.

KV: What inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys?

JS: The beauty and uniqueness of the Keys is what inspires me to protect it — the mangrove islands, the coral reef and its diverse array of marine life, and our native wildlife, several of which are endangered species.

KV: How does that passion influence your work?

JS: I strive to educate others, especially children, about the uniqueness and fragility of our flora and fauna.

KV: What are some of the ways that you help protect the local environment?

JS: Through constant outreach and education.

KV: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?

JS: I’m always challenged, but it’s not just a job. It’s my passion; it’s a labor of love. It’s something I do that matters and makes a difference every single day, not only in the lives of the animals but also the inmates and our community.

KV: What do you hope your positive environmental actions will accomplish?

JS: I hope that others will develop a passion for saving animals, protecting our local environment and helping those in need.

KV: What message do you want your actions and example to communicate to people you encounter?

JS: My mission for the farm is to advocate for being responsible pet parents by spaying and neutering your pets, keeping in mind that animals are not disposable — they are a commitment for THEIR lifetime. At the farm, I practice what I preach. When animals arrive here, they are home.

KV: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?

JS: Rescuing senior dogs. I take in those that no one wants, that either have behavioral or chronic health issues. I care for those that need a safe place to land for their final days, and I promise to give them only their best days.

With an environment filled with terrestrial and marine wildlife, Big Pine & the Lower Keys is the least “people-populated” area of the Florida Keys. In fact, the majority of its inhabitants have fur, fins or feathers.

Stretching from the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge at Sunshine Key (mile marker 40) to Stock Island at mile marker 5, the Lower Keys are home to two national wildlife refuges, part of a national marine sanctuary and a state park.

The region’s focus on the environment has earned it the title of the Natural Keys, and no visit would be complete without encountering some of its native wildlife.

What are some “don’t miss” stops when you’re visiting the Lower Keys?

Bahia Honda State Park. Home to a world-renowned beach, Bahia Honda State Park (located oceanside at mile marker 36.5), offers the perfect getaway for everyone in the family. Along with its historic bridge and pristine waters, the park features picnic and camping facilities, rental cabins, kayaking, daily snorkeling tours to Looe Key Reef, a marina, nature trails and a nature center.

Grimal Grove. The historic tropical fruit grove near Big Pine Key’s mile marker 30.5  was first owned by inventor and recluse Adolf Grimal, who amassed hundreds of rare fruit trees and created raised garden beds and waterways for irrigation. After his 1997 death, the property fell into a shambles. In 2013 Patrick Garvey and Growing Hope Initiative restored it as a tropical fruit park. Today, under Garvey’s stewardship, it’s the continental United States’ only breadfruit grove. Tours are available by appointment, and the property also hosts activities including youth education and yoga.

National Key Deer Refuge. In 1957 the refuge was established to protect and preserve habitats for wildlife — particularly the tiny, shy Key deer that are about the size of a large dog. The refuge’s 9,000-plus acres include mangrove forests, freshwater and salt marsh wetlands, pine rockland forests and tropical hardwood hammocks. While the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Nature Center, near mile marker 30.5, remains temporarily closed because of coronavirus concerns, the graceful deer can often be seen grazing around Big Pine.

Blue Hole. Find this secluded oasis off Big Pine’s Key Deer Boulevard, just 3 miles north of its intersection with the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. An abandoned quarry, the Blue Hole exposes the Keys’ unique freshwater lens and attracts a wide array of wildlife. Key deer drink there, while other occupants include alligators, turtles, snakes, fish and a variety of birds. Enjoy the view from the observation platform or venture along the forested edges of the walking trail.

Big Pine Kayak Adventures. Author/photographer Captain Bill Keogh and his crew have operated Big Pine Kayak Adventures since 1992. Located off the Overseas Highway at mile marker 30, the business offers paddling tours and boating eco-tours. The fleet used for rentals and tours includes beginner kayaks, sea kayaks, fishing kayaks, paddleboards and canoes. A Carolina 24 motor skiff can be used to transport kayaks and adventurers to remote wildlife refuge and backcountry spots.

Looe Key Reef. This unique preserve is named for HMS Looe, a British frigate that ran aground in 1744. The waters surrounding the reef provide spectacular views of sponges, soft corals, vibrant elkhorn and staghorn coral thickets and a variety of fish. Looe Key Reef Resort & Dive Center at mile marker 27.5 and other Lower Keys commercial charters provide excursions to Looe Key. The reef is the site of the annual Underwater Music Festival.

Skydive Key West. Visitors can enjoy the “bucket list” adventure of skydiving above blue water and island landscapes at Skydive Key West, located on Sugarloaf Key’s Bat Tower Road at mile marker 17. Certified tandem instructors employ rectangular, aerodynamic parachutes for easy maneuverability and “tiptoe soft” landings. After a nearly 20-minute climb to an altitude of 10,000 feet, jumpers leave the plane and descend at a speed of 120 mph from nearly 2 miles above the Keys.

Geiger Key Marina. At this Lower Keys hideaway spot — a favorite of locals — visitors will find a laid-back “fish camp” atmosphere and an eatery that serves deftly prepared casual fare. Located at mile marker 10, the restaurant at Geiger Key offers super-fresh local seafood, delicious in-house specialties and relaxing open-water views. Other attractions include an RV park, fishing charters, paddleboards and kayaks for exploring the nearby waters.

Sheriff’s Animal Farm. The Sheriff’s Animal Farm, located near mile marker 5 on Stock Island, is an attraction for all ages featuring horses, ponies, peacocks, pigs, African spurred tortoises and exotic animals like Mo the sloth, Kelsie the lemur, two alpacas and an albino python. The farm is temporarily closed to the public because of the coronavirus, but normally it’s open 1-3 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Admission is free.

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