The story of Miami’s Tropical Botanical Garden reads like a bestselling novel. It begins with the discovery of three acres of wild vegetation tucked into the heart of Little Haiti. Dirty and long-forgotten, this plot of land was destined to change the day a bold ecologist named Casey Zap moved next door.
Little did he know, he was stepping into the greatest race of his life: a sprint to raise $4 million in just a few months to preserve this botanical treasure.
The discovery
It all began in 2020 when Casey Zap—botanist, ecologist, and landscape designer—noticed a wild patch of nature behind his new home. He soon realized it was one of the last remaining fragments of the Everglades left within Miami’s urban sprawl.
Determined to protect the tropical flora and raise local awareness, Zap convinced the landowner to lease him the property. The site held a pond, fruit trees, native Everglades plants mixed with exotic species—and also turtles, birds, butterflies, 26 species of bees… plus a disturbing amount of debris, including chunks of concrete from a demolished roadway.
Hands-on transformation
With help from volunteers in Little Haiti, Zap began cleaning and restoring the area, which soon became Miami’s first tropical botanical garden.
“We don’t automatically remove non-native species to revive what was originally there,” he explains. “Many of these plants now fill roles once held by species that no longer exist. Even when we think we’re planting natives, we’re often mixing plants from unrelated ecosystems. That leads to combinations that nature wouldn’t have created. In my view, we’re building something entirely new. And when I design landscapes for clients or developments, I apply the same philosophy—creating beauty while supporting life cycles.”
A mission that grows
Over time, the garden’s purpose expanded into an eco-school and community cultural hub. “I want people of all backgrounds involved. Beekeeping, for example, can fascinate kids—and those kids will grow up with ideas I could never have imagined.”
Zap even set up a biotech lab at home, dedicated to orchids, mushrooms, and other research.
“Biotechnology is the future. I want brilliant minds to feel drawn to the project and unlock their full potential here.”
One of his key goals is turning the garden into a green infrastructure model—naturally managing stormwater to improve urban resilience and prevent flooding.
A sudden threat
In summer 2024, a dramatic twist: the landowner announced plans to sell the three acres to developers. The risk of losing the garden was serious and demoralizing. But in late fall, a silver lining—those developers failed to secure financing, buying Zap a little time.
And so began a race against the clock to raise $4 million to purchase the land and prevent its conversion into condos. Zap secured a $300,000 personal loan to make a down payment and stall the sale.
In June, private donors rallied behind the cause—and with a major $1 million gift, the garden became a nonprofit organization, temporarily out of developers’ reach.
The future is bold
The fight isn’t over. Rezoning delays have paused the transaction, giving garden managers a bit of breathing room. Meanwhile, Zap continues his mission, launching an educational and revenue-generating community initiative: youths receive pots, compost, soil, and seedlings to grow native plants at home for a year. Later, Zap plans to buy the plants back—at market price.
According to Zap, education is the foundation. He believes ecology can empower people: “We can lift up communities and build a new, healthy environmental ecosystem by offering creative, inclusive approaches.”
He envisions a tiered membership system, where higher-paying members help fund workshops, scholarships, and educational programs. For those less interested in plants or youth programs, a skills-exchange network could enrich community life.
Zap humbly admits the path is not easy: “It’s tempting to grow pessimistic amid all the discord and disasters. But I choose to stay focused. My vision reaches far. I hope that within five years, we will have a clear legal pathway so others can replicate this urban botanical garden model—customized to their cities, neighborhoods, or municipalities.”
His final note?
“When you give your time and knowledge, you receive more than you ever give. And when you plant a garden… you can be happy for a lifetime. See how far this could go?”
