Thousands of years ago the now world famous Everglades National Park (the ancient River of Grass to the West) and Biscayne National Park (underwater coral reef to the East) were formed. South of Homestead, during this formation, a string of islands prevailed, which is now connected by bridges and referred to as the Florida Keys. To the North a lush land mass with white sandy shores has developed into a giant tropical metropolis known as the internationally exciting Miami.

For thousands of years the only human inhabitants in this territory were American Indians of the Miccosukee, Seminole, and Tequesta tribes. The men fished, hunted, and built huts from palm fronds while the women gathered, cleaned, cooked over open fires, and sewed beautiful clothing. Great perseverance was essential as life could be extremely harsh and they had to be totally self reliant. However, there was great pleasure and beauty in this wilderness, with the warm sun, Caribbean breezes and the sounds of nature.

Before long, the early pioneers of the 1700's and 1800's had visions of taming the edge of the big swamp and the Mangrove covered coast. With the twelve month growing season, not just sugar plums danced in their heads, but crops of bananas, oranges, pineapples, coconuts, herbs, spices, exotic flowers, and foliage, as well as traditional crops. The homesteaders, with fantasies of fortunes reaped from bountiful harvests, continued to arrive with their dreams and plants. The origin of this group was unbelievably diverse for settlers. They were Caucasian, African American, Latin, Asian and from every continent and many islands.

In contrast to the fanciful visions, the reality was more complex. Finally by the late 1900's the major economic source for our city was non-traditional agriculture. Many of the pioneers did not live long enough to see this triumph. Agriculture, the accidental tourist and Homestead Air Force Base created a three legged economy for our community. However, there was no real gracious living for the average resident. Only a privileged few experienced the casual elegance of this unique place.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew, America's most costly natural disaster of its time, swept across this area of South Florida, leaving nothing untouched. This devastation left our community destroyed and we instantly became the original ground zero. Hurricane Andrew had wiped out the entire infrastructure, leaving thousands of homes and businesses demolished. A thirty mile wide swath turned lush crops and our delicate ecosystems into what appeared to be a combination of the petrified forest and a wasteland littered with foreign debris. The aftermath left our town with no air force base, no visitors, and being both jobless and homeless became common place. One's mind could not fathom the reality of it all.

Assistance began a few days later. Water, ice, and hope began to pour into our area. Within months, our infrastructure had been replaced with the help of many kind strangers. Through an international effort, the National Parks began the mammoth clean up efforts and nature began the healing process more rapidly than humans predicted. Mountains of trash gradually disappeared. Slowly the buildings, both homes and businesses began to open one by one.

The restored Historic Downtown claimed its royal throne as the nucleus of Homestead. Where buildings once stood, the empty lots have now turned into garden paths were locals and international visitors stroll or enjoy a leisurely meal from the one-of-a-kind cafes that spill into the gardens.

The garden paths lead to antique shops, cafes, museums, theaters, art center, book stores, and tour depots, including tropical wilderness, historic nontraditional agriculture, world class gardens both public and private, and other charming places.

In August of 2002, ten years after Hurricane Andrew, we chose to have a celebration for the rebirth of our city in August of 2002, it was appropriately called "Second Wind," and we will always be grateful to the to the volunteers, donors, the thousands of visitors and the press for helping to make it a huge success. Since that time the city has developed several signature events. In December the Historic Downtown Mainstreet has "Holiday Candlelight Shopping", where you are greeted by cheerful merchants. Perhaps you have strolled through the garden paths to find the perfect gift or enjoy a delicious meal. A visit to downtown is truly a historic and botanical experience, and we do have a few stories to tell.

The prospect of having five different types of gardens for the public to share is beginning to take on a form and hopefully substance in the foreseeable future.

"People don't really understand the effect plants have on their daily lives. Our oxygen, shade from the heat, food, beverages, medicines, perfume and other personal care products, clothing, building materials, and so much more are derived from plants" said Margi Buster, President and founder of Redland Tropical Gardens. She went on to point out, "The gardens will be outdoor classrooms for plant identification, research, cultural, intergenerational, performing arts, while being a sanctuary for the soul, a feast for the eye, and a learning experience for the mind and heart. We hope to build these locations where mankind and nature can effortlessly connect, where form and function flow together seamlessly for this purpose". The five slated gardens are: a Tropical Blooms Plantation, a Tropical Medicinal Garden (many African plants synonymous with healing), a Wetlands Garden (to educate both residents and international visitors about our unique environment), a Jungle Garden (all jungles are not created equal), and a Bay Garden (for educational and interactive purposes).

This county already has two world class tropical gardens. The first, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, is an unparalleled collection of the ancient cycads and palms from around the world, which are appreciated by the novices and the experts. The second is the Redland Fruit and Spice Park with its collection of tropical delicacies for both those who just like to nibble and for serious gourmets. If you have never visited these locations, it is an incredible experience with choices of a tram ride or a walking tour.

To connect all of the Gardens, with both our cultivated area (the Redland), and our unique wilderness (Everglades and Biscayne Underwater Park), along with other natural and historic locations in between we have been developing tours for several years. The purpose of the tours are two fold. They will prevent impaction on these delicate areas and provide a certified or interpretive guide who will be familiar with the area and trained in international hospitality. In several years we hope to be natures wonderland, wisely, without devastating its magnificent treasures.

However, if you are interested in being involved from the beginning or taking a tour now, we can accommodate you or your group.

Redland Garden Resorts will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Redland Tropical Gardens, managing accommodations and facilities for our garden visitors. This enterprise will be run by a team that specializes in these services and is experienced in providing casual-elegant ambiance for our guests. As well as cottages, the management will administer the canteens, galleries and gift shops. This arrangement allows the Redland Tropical Gardens to concentrate on activities related to our mission and goals.

Each garden will provide opportunities to develop unique guest quarters that blend in with the landscape and compliment the botanical and educational goals of that particular garden. On site buildings of historical interest will be preserved and new construction will often reflect Old Florida Architectural Designs, using indigenous material whenever possible. In a number of cases, we will be utilizing innovative environmentally friendly designs to create, for instance, triplexes that allow for tree top viewing in our jungle garden.

With this professional team managing the Redland Gardens Resorts, the two proficiencies will compliment each other. While maintaining sensitive to our surrounding communities, this will allow the Gardens to become economically sustainable and prevent them from falling into ruins in the future, leaving South Miami Dade County with a living legacy of educational gardens throughout eternity.