Tibet-Butler Preserve Explained

Tibet-Butler Preserve
Photo Alt:Photograph of part of the boardwalk at Tibet-Butler Preserve
Map:Florida
Map Width:240
Coords:28.4425°N -81.5417°W
Type:Regional park
Location:Orange County, Florida, United States
Nearest City:Orlando, Florida
Area:440acres
Operator:Orange County Parks and Recreation
Open:All year, 8:00am - 6:00pm
Website:orangecountyfl.net

The Tibet-Butler Preserve is a county park located on the shore of Lake Butler, southwest of Orlando, Florida. It is managed by the Orange County Parks and Recreation.

History

The land for Tibet-Butler Preserve was acquired in 1986 and 1987 using funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund and the Water Management Lands Trust Fund.[1]

Recreation

Tibet-Butler Preserve contains a nature center, 3.6 miles (5.8 km) of trails, a picnic area, a butterfly garden, and a wheelchair-accessible sandbox.[2] The nature center is called the Vera Carter Environmental Center, named after the Orange County Commissioner from 1980 to 1992.[3] It is home to a number of exhibits including live animals, taxidermy, and interactive displays.

Wildlife

The area consists of a variety of habitats, including bay swamps, marshes, cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, and scrub.[3] Wildlife includes gopher tortoises, North American river otters, nine-banded armadillos, american alligators, green and brown anoles, six-lined racerunners, and over 100 species of birds including bald eagles, osprey, and eastern screech owls.[4] Tibet-Butler Preserve is a site on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.[5]

Access and hours of operation

Tibet-Butler Preserve is located at 8777 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32836. It is open daily, from 8:00am - 6:00pm. Trails are occasionally closed due to flooding.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Upper Lakes Land Assessment Region: Tibet-Butler . . PDF . 3 January 2017.
  2. Web site: Tibet-Butler Preserve . Florida Hikes! . 3 January 2017.
  3. Web site: Tibet-Butler Preserve Tri-Fold Brochure . . PDF . 3 January 2017.
  4. Web site: Tibet-Butler Preserve Bird Checklist . . PDF . 3 January 2017.
  5. Web site: Tibet-Butler Preserve . Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc . 3 January 2017.
  6. Web site: Tibet-Butler Preserve . . 3 January 2017.