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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!”

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.

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.

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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