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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