Selby Foundation Supports Friends of Sarasota County Parks

November 29, 2021 – Sarasota

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has granted $50,000 to the Friends of Sarasota County Parks (FOSCP) to fund Educational Outreach Gardens (EOG) at Twin Lakes Park on 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota County, Florida. As a chapter of the FOSCP, the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteers of Sarasota County (MGVs) have begun an extensive project to develop the grounds around the Twin Lakes Park (TLP) Extension office into a premier horticultural education garden.  The Selby Foundation grant represents an initial tranche of funds to support this multifacted project. 

The Selby Foundation grant will be used to assist with funding the development of an educational greenhouse, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sensory garden, outdoor classrooms, raised beds for edibles, Florida-friendly plants, and pasture demonstrations. MGVs already have renovated the existing perimeter gardens with more Florida-friendly plants and improved the existing butterfly garden and bioswale. Additional information on the EOG Project is available in this flier.

Terry Redman, the President of the FOSCP, stated, “We are thrilled that the Selby Foundation has provided such a significant level of funding to support the Educational Outreach Gardens at Twin Lakes Park. Through this grant, the Selby Foundation recognizes that as the population in Sarasota County continues to grow, it is important that we educate the community on sustainable landscaping strategies and what that means for water quality and quantity in our region. The EOG will serve as the “go to” place to learn about the nine principles of Florida-Friendly landscaping™ and obtain University of Florida research-based horticultural information.” 

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Sarasota County have recently begun a wide-ranging fundraising campaign for the EOG, which is a five-year effort. Individuals interested in financially supporting this project are encouraged to log on to the donation page  and direct donations to MGV-EOG.

The Selby Foundation is a private foundation founded by William G. and Marie Selby in 1955.

The Foundation supports Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties through capital

grants and scholarships. Since its establishment, the Selby Foundation has provided more than

$120 million to the community. For additional information regarding the grant process, please

visit www.selbyfdn.org.