SARASOTA, Fla. — In the most recent edition, Southern Living spotlights Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden complex, placing Sarasota on the map not just for arts and culture, but for climate-forward innovation.
The article praises the completion of Phase One of a $51 million Master Plan, which includes a state-of-the-art solar-powered facility—the Morganroth Family Living Energy Access Facility (LEAF). With over 2,100 solar panels, LEAF powers the entire campus and even gives energy back to the grid. It also houses The Green Orchid, the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant, which sources ingredients directly from its rooftop garden.
Southern Living also recaps the garden’s rich history, tracing back to Marie Selby’s 1973 gift of her bayfront estate to the public. Today, the gardens are both a living museum and a center for scientific research, especially for epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads.
The piece notes how the new design is not only eco-conscious but also hurricane-resilient, an urgent need after Hurricane Milton in 2024 caused widespread damage. The redesign includes storm-hardened greenhouses and upgraded water management systems.
Despite its high-tech transformation, Southern Living emphasizes that the visitor experience remains peaceful and inspiring, with art installations, kids’ spaces, reflection ponds, and rare tropical blooms that offer a serene escape on Sarasota’s waterfront. Read the article here.
