McKee Botanical Garden Welcomes Taylor Walker as Director of Horticulture

Vero Beach, FL July 7, 2026 — McKee Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the appointment of Taylor Walker as Director of Horticulture. He will report to Rochelle Wolberg, Executive Director.

A Florida native, Walker brings more than 15 years of experience spanning horticulture management, wildlife research, marine science and project management. He holds a Bachelors & Associates Degree in Environmental Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Walker’s professional experience includes prominent roles at distinguished botanical institutions. In his role as Education and Conservation Horticulturist at Naples Botanical Gardens, he managed native plant gardens and nursery production, trained in professional horticulture techniques and studied under renowned botanist Dr. George Wilder. Walker joins McKee Botanical Garden from Bok Towers Gardens, where he served as Horticulture Manager over five years.

During his tenure at Bok Towers, he and his team completed the landscape restorations of the historic Reflection Pond Peninsula, the Tower Moat, El Retiro and The Exedra. His efforts greatly impacted horticultural practices by implementing regenerative techniques including holistic soil management, integrated pest management, and regionally adapted plant selection. He is an experienced public speaker, educating guests, staff, volunteers, and student groups through special events, educational programming, garden tours and training.

Prior to Bok Tower Gardens, Taylor spent years working in Belize as a horticulture consultant for multiple projects including Spanish Creek Rainforest Reserve, Tropical Agroforestry, and Belize Botanic Gardens. Taylor has a passion for horticulture and especially loves growing tropical fruits, palms, herbs, and vegetables, maintaining a private collection of over 200 plant varieties.

At McKee, he will ensure the garden is maintained in accordance with its design intent, horticultural standards, and institutional mission. Walker will maintain exceptional aesthetic standards to ensure a high-quality visitor experience. He believes that fostering a collaborative environment is crucial for achieving the shared vision of any organization, especially one dedicated to preserving botanical diversity and beauty.

As Vero Beach’s first and oldest cultural institution, and the only award-winning public garden on the Treasure Coast, McKee Botanical Garden continues to advance the garden by investing in our team. Walker’s professional experience will support McKee’s mission through thoughtful horticulture care, team leadership and staff development, and management of the garden’s plant collections.

About McKee Botanical Garden
McKee Botanical Garden is an 18-acre subtropical oasis listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Florida Heritage Landmark. Known for its immersive jungle landscape design by William Lyman Phillips, McKee features nationally recognized collections of waterlilies and orchids, along with a robust program of exhibitions, education, and community events. Welcoming more than 130,000 visitors annually, McKee is Vero Beach’s first and oldest cultural attraction and its only nationally recognized, award-winning public garden.