Marie Selby Botanical Gardens recently announced that it has received $31.5 million in gifts, 74 percent of the funds needed to implement the $42.5 million dollar Phase One of the master plan have been secured. And the significant progress attained toward the Phase One goal was largely possible by a 5-million dollar gift from Sarasota donors Drs. Joel and Gail Morrison Morganroth. The centerpiece of Phase One of the Gardens’ new Master Site Plan is the Sky Garden that will bear their name. The Sky Garden is a vertical garden and visitor services building that will incorporate cutting-edge sustainability innovations and serve as an international model for green technology. Further, the Sky Garden will house a substantial storm-water management system and generate significant energy to power Phase One of the master plan, making it the first Net Positive Energy botanical garden complex in the world.

The goal for funding the overall 10-year Master Plan is $92 million, with $72 million to be directed toward capital costs and the balance to be directed towards endowment and operational needs. Upon completion of the Master Plan, the Gardens will add fifty percent more green space and accommodate a rapidly growing visitor base.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens