A chronology of the evolution of Base Camp Sarasota is provided below:

• Project originally proposed by ex-state senator Robert Johnson and then-CEO Meg Lowman to Selby Gardens in 2002, proposing that Selby (with its landbased ecology mission) become the center for a Florida ecological center. Put on hold by Johnson and Lowman.
• Project resurrected by Sarasota County and New College partnership in 2004, with additional partnership by University of Florida and other regional institutions.
• Planning grant submitted by M. Lowman and funded by Triad Foundation in 2005 to convene a Science Advisory Committee to select site for a potential field station, as endorsed by Sarasota County; committee completed its process in September 2005.
• 08.28.05 - Dr. Margaret Lowman writes about Base Camp Sarasota in her Nature's Secrets column: Base camp Sarasota: Monitoring ecosystems for future health
• Design workshop grant submitted by Life and Environmental Sciences Cluster of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC), and funded by EDC to create a master site plan and schematic green design for buildings, facilities, and plans for future use. Check out the gallery of images from the Field Station design charrette.