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“We had very distinct challenges we needed to address and out of those challenges came this opportunity to be an international model for sustainability and for climate adaptation.” – Jennifer Rominiecki, CEO of Selby Gardens
Selby Gardens in Sarasota is rewriting the rulebook on climate adaptation. What began as a master plan to modernize facilities has blossomed into a pioneering model of how public gardens can adapt to — and lead on — climate resilience. In this short but powerful video, Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, frames the garden’s transformation as a deliberate response to mounting climate threats.
Their climate adaptation strategy is comprehensive. It includes over 50,000 square feet of solar panels, earning Selby Gardens the title of the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden. Every building on the grounds uses hurricane-resilient materials. Yet, in harmony with nature, the architecture mimics natural forms, creating an aesthetic that is both beautiful and resilient.
Their innovation doesn’t stop at energy. Selby Gardens also installed a stormwater system that captures millions of gallons annually, cleans it, and returns it to Sarasota Bay — protecting the surrounding environment while enhancing public infrastructure.
Rominiecki’s message is clear: adapting to climate change isn’t optional, especially for coastal and inland Florida communities. This is the “price of living in paradise,” she says, and it’s one we must pay through planning, innovation, and bold sustainability leadership.
The Climate Adaptation Center (CAC) is a key partner and resource in this effort. CAC provides the vision and guidance that helps communities like Sarasota turn risk into opportunity. Supporting the CAC means enabling more projects like Selby Gardens — where climate adaptation is not just a plan, but a living, thriving reality.
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