About Us

Our mission is to develop, promote, protect, and conserve the natural beauty of the Upper Keys. We accomplish this through educational programs and in cooperation with our members and local residents. In support of our overall mission, we uphold four objectives:

1. To develop and augment knowledge and love of plants and gardening with a focus on native plants.

2. To promote community planting and beautification of the Upper Keys.

3. To protect and conserve our natural resources by educating visitors, both tourists and community members.

4. To maintain our gardens and garden center as teaching tools.

Our organization was originally founded in 1952 as the Key Largo Garden Club. Meetings were held at private homes. Two years later, the club had grown so large that it divided to form a new Upper Keys chapter.  Our club continued to grow and needed a larger meeting space. A generous benefactor, Dr. Fred Bond, gave the organization the tract of land that now houses our clubhouse and grounds, which is named Francis Tracy Garden Center in honor of a the who was known as “our angel of mercy of the Keys” and who was instrumental in bringing Dr. Bond to the Keys. 

Officially launched in 1956, the club was given a charter and non-profit status by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. There were many fundraising projects for several years for the building, furnishings, and grounds. Thus, the Francis Tracy Garden Center came into being with the first meeting held at the property in 1964. In 2012, the club reincorporated and is now known as The Garden Club of the Upper Keys, Inc.

Today, our club still remains at The Francis Tracy Garden Center. Our club continues with the passion and love of learning about the plants and natural environment of the Upper Keys. We invite you to join us as we continue to make history!

You can find additional details about the club's history here.