See the Original Florida in an Orlando Nature Preserve

An old saying says that "the best things in life are free." When you visit Orlando most of the attractions are definitely not free, but perhaps the old saying is true after all, because you can get to see what Florida looked like before Disney and Universal came there by visiting the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve.

The preserve is located very close to World Disney World and Sea World and contains a 440 acre piece of Florida's original flora and fauna. The center piece of the preserve is the Vera Carter Environmental center building which houses up-to-date environmental displays on local flora and fauna, and also hosts lots of environmental programs, many of them geared toward children.

There are four miles of well-maintained trails that pass through swamps, Florida scrub, pine flatlands and cypress swamps. Along the trails you will also find "learning stations" with information about the surrounding terrain. There are also great spots for bird watching and nature observation. In addition to the birds, the park is also home to bobcats and foxes, but it is not likely that you will see these shy creatures. In case you are wondering about the name of the preserve. It has nothing to do with the country of Tibet. The park borders on a series of lakes that are named Tibet-Butler. The Tibet-Butler Preserve was purchased in 1989 by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) through the Save Our Rivers Program, to protect the watershed along Lake Tibet-Butler on the Butler Chain of Lakes.

The preserve also sponsors educational and hiking programs which focus on Central Florida plants, animals, ecosystems and outdoor sports. The preserve also offers interactive computer-based learning programs and adult-only art classes.

The hiking program is held in conjunction with the other nature preserves in Florida and you can become a Preserve Trailblazer when you hike 30 miles at your own pace. You will get an official trailblazer T-shirt and discover native Florida at the same time. This program is free of charge and you can find out more about it at the preserve office.

Here is the contact information for the Tibet-Butler Preserve, 8777 State Road 535, Orlando 32836. It is located about five miles north of I-4 Exit 68 and The entrance to the nature center is off C.R. 535. Take Exit 68 (Lake Buena Vista) off I-4. Head north about five miles on C.R. 535 (Winter Garden-Vineland Road). Entrance to the preserve is on the east (right) side of the road.

The admission is free and the current opening hours are: Wednesday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

I definitely recommend this type of outing to give you and your family a change of pace when you visit Orlando. The futuristic attractions of Disney and Universal are great fun but Mother Nature's own magic is equally fascinating. So treat yourself to some time in a beautiful natural setting when you visit Orlando the next time. And remember, it won't cost you a single cent