Education Matters: Students Blossom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

By Simone Knego | June 2023

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is known as The Living Museum®. The institution trademarked that phrase to describe its innovative approach to building experiences and events around a dynamic schedule of rotating art exhibitions presented in its botanical garden setting. But with rich and diverse learning opportunities for all ages, Selby Gardens also could be called a “living-learning laboratory.”

From summer camps and school field trips to classes and workshops for grown-ups to specialty tours you just can’t experience anywhere else, Selby Gardens keeps learning at the root of its mission.

Summer Camps and School Groups

During June, Selby Gardens’ Camp Lookout provides four fantastic weeks of adventure, science, and fun. This year, the camp is being held for two weeks at its Downtown Sarasota campus and two weeks at its Historic Spanish Point campus. Up to 30 campers will participate in each weekly session.

Aimed at incoming first through fifth graders, the camp offers a perfect opportunity to engage with nature and science playfully and interactively. Each week, campers delve into a different theme, ranging from the world of field botany to wilderness survival. Through hands-on activities and exploration, young nature lovers will gain knowledge and skills that will stay with them forever. 

While summer is camp season, Selby Gardens is also hub of learning activity during the school year. Thousands of students visit its two campuses each year for guided field trips or teacher-led self-guided tours, exploring the natural beauty and diverse flora of the gardens while learning about the vital role of plants in the ecosystem. Whether they’re wading into the waters of Sarasota Bay or exploring the forests of Historic Spanish Point, students learn essential concepts in biology, ecology, and history, all while having fun. Anastasia Sallen, Director of Environmental Education, believes that fostering an appreciation for plants is crucial for future generations. She emphasizes that “you can teach any subject in a garden!”

For school groups that can’t make the trip to either campus, Selby Gardens also provides an array of free resources that teachers can use in the classroom. Topics range from the ecological importance of mangroves and estuaries to native plants of Florida to 5,000 years of human history at the Historic Spanish Point site.  

Classes and Programs for All

Experiential learning at Selby Gardens isn’t limited to the school-age set. Visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and learn new skills through a variety of hands-on classes, workshops, and activities at both campuses. For budding artists, classes include introductory painting, drawing, and photography, all catering to beginners seeking to learn new skills. Beyond these foundational courses, the gardens offer art and horticulture classes that are themed to current art exhibitions, like the stunning Tiffany show running through June 25 or the Orchid Show opening in early October at the Downtown Sarasota campus. 

Plant care classes are available for those seeking to hone their green thumb, including the ever-popular course in home orchid care. The gardens even host fun food and beverage classes that feature a botanical education component. These range from tropical tea tastings to the over-21 “Noshing in Nature” series, which explores the plants behind some favorite drinks and food. Past events have featured cocktails and small bites infused with Florida oranges and the smoky pairing of barbecue and bourbon. 

Specialty Tours

At each of its campuses, Selby Gardens also offers special group tours to deepen visitors’ understanding of the rich environment surrounding them. Ross Johnston, manager of visitor engagement, explains, “Our group tour programs provide an immersive experience. Depending on your particular interest, we can highlight our art exhibitions, our world-class botanical research, or fascinating regional history at either of our campuses. We can even put together a ‘behind-the-scenes’ exploration to see things rarely on view to the public.”

The Downtown Sarasota campus is a must-visit for nature lovers and anyone looking to learn more about botany and horticulture. For those interested in learning more about the history of Selby Gardens and hitting some of the big horticultural highlights, there are volunteer docent-led “walk and talk” tours. For a more exclusive and personalized experience, paid private tours are available, covering everything from orchids in the greenhouses to art exhibitions on campus. Both children and adults will enjoy the “Savage Science” carnivorous plant tour, which includes a hands-on “feeding” demo and even a Venus flytrap to take home!  

Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus is a treasure trove of history and nature, with plenty to offer visitors looking for an informative experience. Free “walk and talk” tours are generally available twice daily, though the schedule can vary in summer. Volunteer guides provide fascinating insights into the site’s history and natural features. At the pioneer-era Guptill House overlooking Little Sarasota Bay, docents stationed on the wide front porch share detailed information about the historic home and its former residents. Private group-tour options are available here too. Topics include regional history, native flora and fauna, and archaeology on the site. 

One of the most unique experiences at the Historic Spanish Point campus is a 45-minute boat tour offered on Magic, a replica of the boat that the homesteading Webb family used to shuttle guests to and from its bayfront resort in the late 1800s. Check the Selby Gardens website for the current schedule of trips.

For even more time on the water, visitors can enjoy the “Set Sail with Selby Gardens” tour, which includes access to both Selby Gardens properties. This campus-to-campus boat tour takes guests on a 75-minute trip each way, covering 10 miles through the bays that connect the two waterfront sites. Live narration provides insight into the area’s environment, wildlife, and history. Visitors also get time to explore each campus on their own, providing them with a comprehensive look at all that Selby Gardens has to offer. Sailings are planned for every other week through the summer.

Selby Gardens also uses the summer months to give back to the community by taking several local youth groups on the “Set Sail” tour for free. These donated trips are possible thanks to the generosity of their tour partner, Paradise Boat Tours. Capt. Sherman Baldwin from Paradise Boat Tours shared, “We are a locally owned family business, and it’s heartwarming to give back to the community that has been so good to us. To be able to share this stunning environment with people who rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to experience Sarasota from the water is an honor.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the events and educational opportunities at Selby Gardens, visit selby.org.