Connecting with Nature at Selby

Children delight in wonders of its rainforest garden

As children climb the massive roots of a century-old banyan tree, watch a 12-foot waterfall cascading on a rock face, and walk across a rope bridge, they’re not only enjoying many of the offerings at the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. They’re also learning about the elements of a rainforest and the animals that live there.

Volunteer school guide and local resident Gina Anderson has led many student tours through the 1-acre rainforest garden, located within the 15-acre Selby Gardens that perch on Sarasota Bay. She enjoys showing children the workings of a rainforest outside a classroom or textbook. “By taking a tour, they can learn the importance of the rainforest, including the production of oxygen, food and medicine,” Anderson explains.

Exploring and connecting to the rainforest garden lets children gain greater appreciation and understanding of rainforests throughout the world, such as those in the Amazon, Africa, Australia and southern Asia. Rainforests provide habitat for a highly diversified collection of plants and animals.

Rainforests also play a key role in keeping our planet healthy by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They help maintain the world’s water cycle by adding water to the atmosphere, and provide habitat for half the world’s known plant and animal species.

Research shows that “natural classrooms” help children become more engaged in their learning once they return indoors. Outdoor classrooms also increase pupils’ interest in the subjects being taught, increase their motivation to learn, and assist with information retention.

“My children love coming to the rainforest, as they get to explore while learning and they also get to play outside and burn off some energy,” notes Mary Stille of Fort Myers. She takes her two young ones to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens a few times a year.

“They especially love the waterfall and enjoy feeding the colorful koi fish,” adds Stille, who also loves wandering along the adventure trail and checking out the field research stations. “I learn something new every time I come,” she says.

Because there is a single exit and entry point, children are unable to go into or leave Selby Gardens without parental supervision. Thus, that allows for a greater chance for some of the older children to freely explore the gardens. “They love the adventure,” says Stille.

Selby Gardens offers a living plant collection in its Tropical Conservatory, featuring more than 6,000 orchids and horticultural displays throughout. Included are the Bamboo Garden, Mangrove Bay Walk, and Koi Pond—where fish can be fed.

Principal benefactor Marie Selby died in 1971 and her will bequeathed the gardens to the community. The official opening was in 1975. Marie and

The Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden was designed to connect

her husband, William

youngsters and families with nature.

“Bill” Selby, originally purchased the site in the early 1920s.

The Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden was added in 2013, and was created with the idea of connecting and building relationships between children, families and nature. The rainforest garden is a “wonderful addition to our botanical gardens … [It] offers a natural space for discovery, exploration,

learning and play for families and all of our guests,” says Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

The rainforest garden, along with the adjacent Kids’ Corner, helps children learn about nature and then apply that knowledge to their visit to the gardens. At the Kid’s Corner, children can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities and programs.

To enhance one’s visit to the gardens, a complimentary audio tour can be accessed via the visitor’s cell phone. There are also “Walk and Talk” tours that touch on horticulture, the history of the gardens, and the gardens’ botanical research. “These complimentary tours are 45 minutes long and take place throughout the day,” says Rominiecki.

Once visitors make their way through the gardens, they should take the time to enjoy a light lunch at the historic Selby House. It is set in the shade of the Banyan Grove, located near the Butterfly Garden. Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and a regular contributor to TOTI Media.

“My children love coming to the rainforest, as they get to explore while learning and they also get to play outside and burn off some energy.”

—Mary Stille of Fort Myers