The Gardens Yesterday and Today

Yesterday

When the USF Botanical Gardens was established in 1969, the Gardens were little more than wilderness, Lake Behnke was small and marsh-like, Fowler Avenue was a two-lane road and the University Mall did not exist. There were no pine trees, only native live oaks and turkey oaks. Very few people knew this small jewel existed. During the 1970's and 1980's, the Gardens served primarily as a teaching and research facility for the Biology Department at the University and was first located near the Police Station.

In the early 1970's, many of the temperate, subtropical and tropical trees and shrubs seen in the Garden today were planted. The greenhouses were moved from near the police station to their present location on site and the Gardens was fenced. A concrete block structure was built to serve as a potting shed and storage structure. This was later remodeled for use as an office building.

During the late 1970's and 1980's, the palm garden was established and the wetland forest and sand scrub beds were planted. The conservatory was built as a venue for classes and workshops and to display flowering specimens from the Garden's plant collections.

Today

The Gardens experienced tremendous growth beginning in the 1990's, with the building of new structures and demonstration gardens. As a result, many new visitors have discovered the USFBG. The Plant Festivals attract plant enthusiasts from around the state to shop for rare and unusual plants. The Gardens serve as an important outreach component of USF. It is a portal the University with an estimated 35,000 visitors annually. Visitors to the Gardens have come from over 70 cities in Florida, 31 states, and 13 countries.

Today, the Gardens are part of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy in the College of Arts & Sciences. It consists of approximately 7 acres of developed gardens connected to an additional 6-9 acres of greenbelt area to the north on the southwest corner of the USF Tampa campus.The Gardens maintains a living collection of over 3,000 taxa of plants and natural habitats including: fruit trees, grasses, begonias, orchids, bromeliads, palms, aroids, gingers, carnivorous plants, cycads, cactus and succulent plants, an herb and scent garden, wetland forest, temperate forest, subtropical shade garden, and Florida upland scrub and sandhill habitats.

Dr. Roy H. and Mrs. Ruth G. Behnke

Lake Behnke sits on the northwestern edge of the Garden and is named in honor of our friends Dr. Roy H. Behnke and his wife Ruth, in recognition of their leadership, tremendous commitment to students and collective love of the University community. Dr. Behnke is founding chairperson of the USF Department of Internal Medicine and Ruth was a passionate volunteer at the Garden for more than 16 years.

Time Line - History of the USF Botanical Gardens

ca. 1968 – Garden established by Dr. Robert W. Long, Jr., Chairman of the Department of Botany and
Bacteriology with the purpose of serving as a teaching and research facility for the Department. Its first location was near the Police Department. Dr. Richard Mansell named Interim Director for six months during Dr. Long’s sabbatical at Harvard University.

ca. 1969 - Derek Burch hired as first part-time Director/Assistant Professor. The Garden moved to present location. President Allen provides funds for the relocation, construction of facilities including, a block house, greenhouses, a shade house, an irrigation system for 7 acres, and a fence for entire perimeter.1969-1974 – Derek Burch establishes basic plantings including rain forest area, temperate forest and fruit tree collection. A student is hired half-time to take care of plants and lead limited tours for school groups and garden clubs

1975 – Full-time gardener position created. Biology Department creates Botanical Garden Advisory
Committee (Dick Mansell, Clinton Dawes, Bruce Williamson and Diane TeStrake). Search for new Director is undertaken.

1975 – Frederick Essig hired as Director/Assistant Professor

1975-1990 – Plantings continue. Computerized plant inventory developed. Palm Garden, Riparian
Forest and Florida Scrub displays established. Early plant sales (beginning in 1978) earn about $2,000 annually. Newsletter established to inform university administrators and public of Garden activities. A small membership group of financial supporters develops.

1991 – Decision made to increase Garden outreach to public. Volunteer group established with the aid of USF Women’s Club and students. First major plant festival organized, based mainly on participation by local plant societies. Newsletter expanded to 4 times/year. Blockhouse renovated into staff office with donation from Dr. and Mrs. Behnke.

1992-1998 – Board of Advisors established. Volunteer group provides major help in cleaning up Garden and running Plant Festivals; Conservatory renovated to serve as meeting room. New front gate built with gift from Behnkes. Herb Garden, Bromeliad Garden, Carnivorous Plant Bog displays established. Festivals and membership expand rapidly. Half-time curator position created to develop plant collections. Permanent retail plant shop established in 1994. Additional events added: Cactus and Succulent Show, Citrus Celebration, Lavender Festival, Butterfly Festival, Tropical Plant Fair. Program of weekend classes added. Ad hoc community advisory panel convened in 1996 to discuss future of Garden.

1998 – President Castor agrees to upgrade Botanical Garden into a major community-oriented facility and provides funds for a full-time Director and an operating budget. Garden moved to Environmental Science and Policy Program under the guidance of Dr. Renu Khator. National search undertaken for new Director.

1999-2000 - Brad Carter hired as first full-time Director and given mandate to develop a strategic plan for the USF Botanical Garden. Shade garden, carnivorous bog, and welcome entrance from parking area established. Orchid collection receives first of three major donations. Master plan completed.

2001 – Laurie Walker hired as second full-time Director. Master plan approved by University and
included in University master planning.

2002 – Gardens lose funding from College due to state budget cuts. Challenged to become self-
supporting.

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