Orlando Before Disney World

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The Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve gives you the chance to experience the saying of old, “The best things in life are free.” Long after Disney and Orlando changed the entire area, it’s hard to imagine what it used to be like! At the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve you can get a genuinely unique experience that – unlike most attractions in the area – is free!

At the heart of the preserve is the Vera Carter Environmental Center. This is a building that houses displays featuring local flora and fauna as well as environmental programs for children and adults. The preserve itself is 440 acres and captures Florida’s original natural environment. Fortunately, the preserve is conveniently located near popular attractions like World [sic] Disney World and Sea World.

The preserve is located around Lake Tibet-Butler, part of a chain of lakes known as the Butler Chain of Lakes. The establishment of this preserve came about through the Save Our Rivers Program which was designed to protect the watershed area around the lake. The 440 acres of the preserve is part of a purchase made by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and features habitats for animals such as bobcats and foxes. These animals are not often seen by visitors who engage in a lot of nature observation and bird watching. Four miles of trails are maintained on the preserve that are a genuine learning experience through the “learning stations” posted along the way that describe the terrain.

At the preserve, a variety of hiking programs that emphasize ecosystems, animals, the plants of Central Florida and outside sports are offered as well as educational programs. Technology is used at the preserve to offer interactive computer-based learning programs. Although most of the preserve is geared for people of all ages, the art classes sponsored at the preserve are for adults only.

A great program offered (in conjunction with Florida’s other nature preserves) at the preserve is the Preserve Trailblazer hiking program. When you sign up for this program, you hike the trails at your own pace for 30 miles. When complete, you get a free Trailblazer T-shirt, as well as a great experience discovering native Florida. More information about the Trailblazer program can be found at the office located at the preserve.

The preserve is conveniently located near I-4. Visitors should take the Lake Buena Vista exit (Exit 68), then take Winter Garden-Vineland Road (C.R. 535) around five miles northbound. Look to the right (east) side of the road and you should see the entrance. If you need to contact the preserve, use the following address: Tibet-Butler Preserve, 8777 State Road 535, Orlando 32836.

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