As a horticulture educator, I spend a lot of time talking about plants—how to grow them, how to care for them, and how those simple acts can be nourishing for us as humans. Gardening gets us outside, puts our hands in the soil, and reminds us of our connection to the natural world. Beyond plant care, I also emphasize the broader importance of connecting with nature—not just for plants, but for people too.

Our reliance on technology, paired with a global trend toward urban living, means many of us spend less time outdoors—even though research continues to prove that time in nature boosts health, focus, creativity, and happiness. Studies show that green spaces improve memory and attention in children, lower stress in adults, and even reduce the risk of psychiatric disorders when children grow up surrounded by trees and parks (Engemann et al., 2019). Exposure to blue spaces like lakes, rivers, and the ocean can be equally restorative. And the benefits don’t stop with health—nature also fosters empathy, cooperation, and generosity (Capaldi et al., 2015).

Simply put: we all feel and function better when we make time to be outside.

That’s why UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County developed the ex•plore (Explore with Extension) program—an invitation to “get your hands dirty and your feet wet.” This series is designed to help participants dig into gardening, dive into water resources, and experience the natural world in hands-on, accessible ways.

One of the places to put this philosophy into action is at the Monty Andrews Arboretum. Monty, a community service-minded leader, recognized how critical it is to provide public spaces where people can learn, play, and recharge outdoors. Through partnerships with the City of Venice and Venice Area Beautification, Inc., his vision grew into a community treasure that continues to thrive today.

What Is an Arboretum?

Many people are familiar with botanical gardens, which feature a wide variety of plants—often with ornamental displays, specialty collections, and greenhouse exhibits. An arboretum is a special type of botanical collection focused specifically on trees, palms, and woody plants. Like botanical gardens, arboreta often serve as living libraries, with labeled specimens, educational programs, and research value.

If you enjoy visiting botanical gardens, arboretums are another wonderful experience to add to your list. Some charge admission, but many—like Monty Andrews Arboretum—are free and open to the public.  Interested in visiting all of Florida’s arboreta? Find a list here: https://floridahikes.com/tag/arboretums/.

A Living Classroom in Venice

The Monty Andrews Arboretum, established in 2006, recently earned Level II Accreditation from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum. Only eight arboreta in Florida hold this recognition, underscoring the quality and dedication behind its care.

Spread across 4.5 acres in West Blalock Park, the arboretum offers:

• A self-guided tree walk featuring more than 100 tree and palm species.
• A certified butterfly garden recognized by the North American Butterfly Association.
• Sculptures and interpretive signs that bring Florida’s plants and wildlife to life.
• Shady walking paths, benches, and picnic areas—perfect for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How This Ties Into ex•plore (Explore with Extension)

At UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, we use spaces like the Monty Andrews Arboretum as living classrooms where visitors can explore a wide variety of trees and palms in one setting. With many specimens at mature size, the arboretum offers a unique opportunity to observe growth habits, learn proper care, and gain inspiration for selecting the Right Plant in the Right Place for home landscapes. For more ways to connect outdoors, check out out the ex•plore page for upcoming programs.

Explore More Gardens in Sarasota County

The Monty Andrews Arboretum is just one of many publicly accessible gardens in our area.

Here are some others to enjoy:

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Demonstration Gardens (Twin Lakes Park, Shamrock Park and Osprey Junction Trailhead) – Featuring Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, pollinator habitats, vegetable beds, and more. Free tours offered monthly, register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/manage/collections/2961109/events

Garden of the Five Senses (North Port) – A unique garden designed to engage sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. More information can be found here: https://www.northportfl.gov/Community-Recreation/Parks-Facilities/Parks/Park-Pages/Garden-of-the-Five-Senses

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned plant enthusiast, these gardens provide opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate the role of plants in our lives.

Literature Cited:

Engemann, K., Pedersen, C. B., Arge, L., Tsirogiannis, C., Mortensen, P. B., & Svenning, J.-C. (2019). Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(11), 5188-5193. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1807504116

Capaldi, C. A., Passmore, H.-A., Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Dopko, R. L. (2015). Flourishing in nature: A review of the benefits of connecting with nature and its application as a wellbeing intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(4), 1-16. https://www.internationaljournalofwellbeing.org/index.php/ijow/article/view/449/509.

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process
During the preparation of this work, the author used ChatGPT to help build the blog post. After using this tool/service, the author reviewed and edited the content, and takes full responsibility for the content of the publication.