Regeneration at Work: ChoZen Center Sets Cradle-to-Cradle Example for IRC

Right here in Sebastian, set amid 40 acres of ecologically significant land along the 22,000-acre St. Sebastian River Preserve, sits the ChoZen Center for Regenerative Living.

Home to over 10,000 plant and animal species -- including 25 endangered species, such as the Florida Panther -- the ChoZen Center is dedicated to regenerating land and biodiversity, revitalizing local economies, elevating human well-being, and advancing wildlife conservation.

ChoZen serves as a bioregional hub showcasing what’s possible when innovative land management, community revitalization, and science-based stewardship converge.

Cradle-to-cradle is the design philosophy coined by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart in their 2002 book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

The concept challenges traditional “cradle to grave” models by designing products, systems, and communities so that every material is either biodegradable and returns safely to nature or can be perpetually recycled for technical use. Their goal was to create a continuous, waste-free cycle that mimics nature, fostering long-term ecological and economic vitality.

Co-founded by Tony Cho with his late wife, Ximena, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit is quickly becoming a regional center for solutions that matter—restoring land and water, supporting local economic growth, and fostering practical education that impacts all generations.

Visitors—from global thought leaders to local families—come to witness firsthand how regenerative practices play out through guided eco-tours, farm volunteer days, and thriving monthly artisan markets.

ChoZen’s approach centers on two globally respected concepts:

1. Permaculture draws inspiration from resilient natural ecosystems. It replaces traditional single-crop farming with integrated, diverse systems—planting species such as dragon fruit, mangoes, and bananas alongside native plants. Each element is chosen to restore soil, support wildlife, and eliminate waste.

   
   

2. Regenerative land management goes even further, actively repairing and enriching land, improving water resources, and increasing ecological value year after year.

   
   

The results are measurable and local. ChoZen has restored critical wetland corridors, boosted water quality, and provided a springboard for local entrepreneurs through artisan markets and farm-to-table programming. Its affordable senior housing, educational scholarships, wellness initiatives, and conservation partnerships have established it as a beacon for community advancement and practical research.

Day visitors can experience ChoZen firsthand with $77 passes, which include access to walking trails, kayaks, bikes, wellness amenities, a health-focused lunch, and more. Each visit offers a window into measurable progress on the ground—demonstrating why this type of forward-focused work is so vital not only for Indian River County but as a blueprint for communities worldwide.

ChoZen Center for Regenerative Living

11115 Roseland Road, Sebastian, FL 32958

Café open Fridays–Sundays, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Day passes: $77

Monthly markets: Second Sunday, October–May

chozenretreat.com | 772-900-1111