Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Inc.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Inc., doing business as Fairchild Tropical Garden, is a non-profit organization located in Pinecrest, Florida, dedicated to exploring, explaining, and conserving the world of tropical plants. Registered to receive federal awards since 2004, Fairchild provides scientific research, conservation, and educational outreach services related to endangered plant species, ecosystem restoration, and STEM education programs. The organization maintains extensive living collections of tropical plants, conducts cutting-edge research, and offers educational programs for students and the general public. Through federal contracts and grants, Fairchild engages in a wide range of activities, primarily focusing on environmental conservation efforts and science education initiatives in South Florida.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has been awarded federal contracts primarily from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for STEM education initiatives. Notable projects include a $1,007,219 cooperative agreement titled "Growing Beyond Earth Science Activation for Middle and High Schools," which utilizes the Garden's living collections to engage middle and high school students in earth and space science education. Another contract focused on improving STEM instruction in remote-learning environments, demonstrating the organization's adaptability to changing educational needs. These contracts, awarded by NASA's Shared Services Center, do not have set-aside designations, indicating that Fairchild competes for these opportunities in an open market. The contracts typically take the form of cooperative agreements, allowing for collaboration between Fairchild and NASA in developing and implementing educational programs.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's federal grant portfolio is diverse, spanning conservation efforts, ecosystem restoration, and educational initiatives. Major funding agencies include the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Grant projects have included conservation of endangered species such as the Sargent Palm and Florida Bristle Fern, restoration of rockland hammock ecosystems, reintroduction of listed plants to privately-owned pine rocklands, and population assessments of at-risk plant species. Educational grants have supported initiatives like the Million Orchid Project STEM Initiative, providing inclusive STEM learning opportunities for underserved students in Miami-Dade County. Fairchild has also received funding to improve its institutional evaluation practices, enhancing its ability to assess and refine its programs for visitors. These grants, primarily awarded as cooperative agreements or project grants, demonstrate Fairchild's significant role in both environmental conservation and science education in South Florida. The organization often collaborates with federal agencies and local partners to implement these grant-funded projects, leveraging its expertise in tropical botany and conservation.