Sarasota Visitors Guide 2008 - (Page 11) Botanical Bounty Sarasota County blooms with four public gardens, each having a distinct personality and purpose. Set on nearly 13 acres, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens grows thousands of outdoor garden plants, as well as more than 20,000 greenhouse plants. Visitors can tour the grounds, attend classes on everything from Courtesy of Mote Aquarium horticulture to yoga, and view art exhibits. Sarasota Jungle Gardens’ name accurately describes itself. The 10-acre attraction features tropical birds, reptiles and mammals, some of which star in daily educational shows. Equally as alluring is its variety of gardens, from the inspirational Gardens of Christ to the exotic Tiki Garden. North Port’s new Garden of the Five Senses, designed to benefit disabled children and adults, contains separate gardens that appeal Marie Selby Botanical Gardens extending from sea turtles to sharks, coral reef and coastal ecology. While you’re there, say “hi” to Hugh and Buffett, the only manatees in the world trained to participate in research. Although a newborn manatee is four feet long and a whopping 70 pounds, these big brothers together weigh more than 3,000 pounds and are each about ten feet in length. See more native wildlife at Crowley Museum & Nature Center. Eagles and ospreys choose to nest here; river otters, butterflies, gopher tortoises and deer also find this peaceful sanctuary family-friendly. Armadillo kids are a fun find – they’re always born in quadruplets. A nature trail winds from dry pine flatwoods through shady oak hammock, over the Maple Branch swamp and out to the Tatum Sawgrass Marsh along the Myakka River. Walk at your leisure on a self-guided tour of baby sightings. All of these critters can also be seen at Myakka River and Oscar Scherer state parks, along with baby bobcats and fox, depending on the time of year. Both parks feature miles of backcountry trails and a variety of nature tours. Oscar Scherer additionally offers camping for those of us who are naturally night owls. Lisa Codianne Fowler is an award-winning Sarasota writer. In her 20-plus-year career, she has explored natural treasures throughout the world. to the senses of sight, smell, sound and touch. The Children’s Garden enchants young visitors with its world of makebelieve. A maze of passion vines and a Safari Land complete with tiki huts are just some of the delights. www.sarasotafl.org 11 http://www.sarasotafl.org
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