Research rooted in legacy
A center built for tropical plant science
With support from the Batchelor Foundation and the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, ICTB is advancing the mission of the National Tropical Botanical Garden and the legacy of Dr. David Fairchild.
Our research and education center is located adjacent to The Kampong in Coconut Grove, Florida, where Dr. Fairchild lived, conducted much of his research and established many of his historic plant collections.
By drawing inspiration from a location with a legacy of scientific exploration and discovery, the ICTB is Florida’s leader in exploration, conservation and management of tropical plants.
Areas of Focus
Our research addresses issues that are important to South Florida and tropical regions around the world.
- Preserving tree canopy
- Fighting invasive plant species
- Researching life-saving medicines from plants
- Mitigating negative environmental impacts
Our Research and Education Center
Our research and education center features work areas, meeting rooms and research spaces for teaching tropical botany at the postgraduate level. Its state-of-the-art herbarium facilities support the storage and study of thousands of tropical plant specimens collected from around the world. The center is also home to experiments focused on plant resilience and adaptation.
Designed in collaboration with Raymond Jungles, the native landscape includes more than 900 tree plantings representing over 150 species of native hardwood hammock plants. The plants are labeled to help visitors learn which native species are appropriate for their own landscapes.
The building’s oolite exterior walls, roof gables and dormer windows reflect the original vernacular architecture of the Grosvenor site and the surrounding Coconut Grove community.
How Research at The Kampong Helps Our Community
While the research taking place at ICTB at The Kampong is crucial, the center also adds value to the surrounding community. Community members can access the grounds through garden tours and other environmental and educational opportunities. ICTB is the hub for the Grove ReLeaf citizen science network, a featured garden for the Food Forest program and a training site for participating partners.