Where Nature Meets Innovation: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Featured in Southern Living
In a glowing feature by Southern Living, Sarasota's own Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has been recognized not only for its breathtaking biodiversity but also as a global leader in sustainability and innovation.
Selby Gardens, known for its impressive orchid collection and scenic bayfront location, has become the world's first net-positive-energy botanical garden. Thanks to a visionary $51 million master plan, the gardens generate more energy than they consume through over 2,100 solar panels and sustainable systems that recycle stormwater and support food production for their on-site restaurant.
The LEAF (Living Energy Access Facility) is the centerpiece of this transformation, housing administrative offices, a state-of-the-art gift shop, and The Green Orchid, the world's first net-positive-energy restaurant. This restaurant is powered entirely by solar energy and nourished by rooftop gardens.
In addition to its sustainability efforts, Selby Gardens serves as a hub for research and education. With more than 20,000 living plants, including one of the world's finest collections of epiphytic orchids and bromeliads, the gardens function as a living laboratory for conservation, science, and public enjoyment.
Whether you're exploring their Downtown Sarasota campus or the historic Spanish Point site, a visit to Selby Gardens means stepping into a place where the future of green living is blooming right now.
Learn more or plan your visit at: selby.org
Read the full Southern Living feature at: southernliving.com
