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By visiting the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, you can see how Florida looked before the days of Disney and Universal and have a unique experience that many visitors miss. Anyone who visits Orlando will find out that most attractions are not free, but in the case of the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, you will learn the truth of that old saying, “The best things in life are free!”

Located near World [sic] Disney World and Sea World, the 440 acre preserve is where you can find Florida’s original flora and fauna. Many environmental programs (a lot of them are geared toward children) are hosted at the Vera Carter Environmental Center which also houses current exhibits of local flora and fauna. This building is the hub of the preserve.

TheTibet-Butler Preserve dates back to’89 when the “Save Our Rivers Program” sought to safeguard the watershed area around Lake Tibet-Butler, part of a series of Lakes called Tibet-Butler. The purchase was made by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and features four miles of trails that are well maintained, with educational “learning stations” along the way to help you understand the terrain. Native to the preserve are bobcats and foxes, but these are seldom seen. Birdwatching and nature observation are good activities at the preserve.

Focusing on topics such as plants of South Florida, outdoor sports, ecosystems, and animals, many educational and hiking programs are sponsored at the preserve. Just because the preserve emphasizes nature doesn’t mean that technology has been left out! A variety of computer-based learning programs are offered to help enrich the visitor’s experience. For adults only, the preserve sponsors art classes.

Held in conjunction with other Florida nature preserves, the hiking program allows visitors to become a “Preserve Trailblaszer” after hiking (at a self-paced rate) for 30 miles. Those who attain this status get an official T-shirt and are enriched by their discovery of native Florida. The Trailblazer program is free and more information about it is available at the preserve’s office.

The contact information for the preserve is as follows: Tibet-Butler Preserve, 8777 State Road 535, Orlando 32836. Located near I-4 visitors should get off on Exit 68 (look for signs for Lake Buena Vista). Take C.R. 535 which is Winter Garden-Vineland Road north-bound for about five miles. The preserve’s entrance will be on the right (east) side of the road.

Tags: Travel Tips

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