Sarasota County Government in partnership with the public sector built one of the nation’s first ‘green’ demonstration homes, the Florida House Learning Center. Construction was completed in 1994 and it opened to the public on Earth Day.  The Center promotes "sustainable living for a future that works."  

Sustainable living classes are offered free to the public throughout the year. Florida House Calendar of Events

Sarasota County Government and the University of Florida Extension sponsor the Florida House.  Volunteers assist with providing tours and providing information. 

The Florida House offers self-guided tours of a model home and landscape featuring environmentally friendly materials and methods.  It teaches citizens ways to conserve our resources by demonstrating:

• Energy efficiency
• Water conservation
• Healthy house concepts
• Recycled products

The landscape is a “Model Florida Yard” featuring:

• Native plants
• Edible landscaping
• Micro-irrigation systems
• Composting
• Drought-tolerant xeriscaping
• Reduction of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides
• Reduction of detrimental runoff into bays and waterways

Florida House Learning Center is located on the campus of the Sarasota County Technical Institute at 4600 Beneva Road South, at the northwest corner of Beneva and Proctor Roads in Sarasota.  Call 941-316-1200 for hours open to the public. Admission is Free.

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