Selby Gardens passes three-quarter mark in Phase 2 fundraising

Fundraising for Selby Gardens’ second of three master-planning expansion phases has passed the three-quarter mark with groundbreaking on the nearly $61 million project expected late this year.

Phase two completion is 2027.

In total, about $50 million of the phase two goal comes from virtually all from private sources. Including all of phase one’s contributions, donations now exceed $114 million.

“We are proud to have made significant strides in our fundraising efforts, thanks to the unwavering support of our generous community,’’ said Gail Morganroth, a co-chair of the phase two fundraising campaign. “These vital contributions are bringing us closer to realizing our vision and will play a crucial role in enhancing the future of Selby Gardens.’’

Among the additions coming in the phase two plan:

• A hurricane-resistant Conservatory Complex, built to house Selby’s collection of plants from around the world. The complex will also afford the public broader accessibility. The focus of the improvements will house more than 20,000 plants from Selby’s living research collections with resilient technology and sustainable features.
• Improved walkways and paths throughout the existing campus, and new garden features including a live oak grove and a stone garden.
• A new indoor/outdoor learning center that will broaden the potential for school programs and lifelong learning events.

Phase one opened to the public in January 2024, including roadway improvements, a multiuse recreational trail, a stormwater management system, the Morganroth Family Living Energy Access Facility — a multipurpose structure that houses parking, a restaurant, vertical gardens, a gift shop and a 50,000 square-foot solar energy array. Also opened in phase one were the Steinwachs Family Plant Research Center and the Jean Goldstein Welcome Center.

About 300,000 people visit Selby Gardens’ 45-acre complex adjacent to downtown Sarasota.