Tibet-Butler Preserve
{{Infobox Park
| name = Tibet-Butler Preserve
| photo = Tibet-Butler_Preserve_Boardwalk,_September_2016.jpg
| photo_alt = Photograph of part of the boardwalk at Tibet-Butler Preserve
| photo_caption = The boardwalk at Tibet-Butler Preserve
| map = Florida
| map_width = 240
| map_caption =
| coords = {{coords|28|26|33|N|81|32|30|W|display=inline, title}}
| type = Regional park
| location = Orange County, Florida, United States
| nearest_city = Orlando, Florida
| area = {{convert|440|acre|km2}}
| created =
| operator = Orange County Parks and Recreation
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref =
| open = All year, 8:00am - 6:00pm
| other_info =
| website = [http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cultureparks/parks.aspx?m=dtlvw&d=39 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/lass_portfolio_upperlakes_tibetbutler.pdf |title=Upper Lakes Land Assessment Region: Tibet-Butler |publisher=South Florida Water Management District |format=PDF |access-date=3 January 2017}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://floridahikes.com/tibetbutler |title=Tibet-Butler Preserve |publisher=Florida Hikes! |access-date=3 January 2017}} The nature center is called the Vera Carter Environmental Center, named after the Orange County Commissioner from 1980 to 1992.{{cite web |url=http://www.orangecountyfl.net/Portals/0/Library/Culture-Recreation/ParksModule/docs/TriFold2ColorBrochure16Tibet.pdf |title=Tibet-Butler Preserve Tri-Fold Brochure |publisher=Orange County Parks and Recreation |format=PDF |access-date=3 January 2017}} 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. 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.orangecountyfl.net/Portals/0/Library/Culture-Recreation/ParksModule/docs/TibetButlerBirdChecklist16.pdf |title=Tibet-Butler Preserve Bird Checklist |publisher=Orange County Parks and Recreation |format=PDF |access-date=3 January 2017}}
Tibet-Butler Preserve is a site on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.{{cite web |url=http://floridabirdingtrail.com/trail/trail-sections/east-section/tibet-butler-preserve/ |title=Tibet-Butler Preserve |publisher=Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc |access-date=3 January 2017}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cultureparks/parks.aspx?m=dtlvw&d=39 |title=Tibet-Butler Preserve |publisher=Orange County Parks and Recreation |access-date=3 January 2017}}
References
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