Central Florida's parks and gardens offer a wide range of colors, shapes, textures and

Florida has a large amount of biological diversity and nature lovers enjoy the variety of plants was in the sun. In our last trip to Orlando we had the opportunity to visit several sites Sanctuary with a beautiful parks and gardens such as the Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Historic Bok. Even my boat trip to Winter Park brought me in close contact with some of the most fascinating flowers and plants found in the Orlando area.

> Florida has a mix of tropical and subtropical climate zones and the area around Orlando are subtropical. Central Florida is hot, but often stormy climate, and experiences many thunderstorms with a common threat of hurricanes.

Geographically, Central Florida area including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard, and Volusia counties, and some believe Polk and Sumter counties of Florida, part of Central Europe. This lower zone is characterizedHundreds of lakes surrounded by marshland. Historically dominant industries are cotton, citrus and cattle. The climate is favorable to a large animal and plant species.

Nature lovers will revel in 's plenty of gardens and parks in Central Florida for their perfect opportunity to enjoy nature in a neighbor. Here is a collection of parks and gardens, the beauty will be a lot of exposure to natural Central Florida:

Archbold Biological Station POBox 2057, (old highway 8), Lake Placid, FL 33862 Phone: (941) 465-2571. "The station promotes long-term ecological research on native plants and animals of central Florida and also provides environmental education for children K-12."

Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, FL 33853-3412, Phone: (941) 676-1408. Historic Bok Sanctuary offers visitors Florida's most abundant
Enrichment opportunities for aesthetic, cultural and personal. L 'lush landscapes of the Olmsted gardens, the majesty and music of the carillon tower and the splendor of Pinewood Estate create an experience that inspires all visitors. "

Cypress Gardens 2641 South Lake Summit Road, Cypress Gardens, FL 33884, Tel: (800) 282-2123. "Standing sentinel in the historic garden is the giant Banyan tree, planted in 1939 from a seedling during the parks early years. Topiary Trail features a collection of colorful topiaries, including a varietyanimals such as rabbit, swan and serpent. The cutting edge in this path of stones is the waterfall, a sparkling waterfall accented by brilliant flowers. The Plantation Gardens includes the grace of the landscape taken care of Snively Mansion and the herb garden, a rose garden and a beautiful butterfly garden adjacent to Wings of Wonder. "

Disney Wilderness Preserve 6075 Scrub Jay Trail Kissimmee, FL 34759, Tel: (407) 935-0002. "Fifteen miles south of Walt Disney World,in the heart of Central Florida is the Disney Wilderness Preserve. The site, which is originally Walker Ranch, now owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, a private, not-for-profit organization that is responsible for maintaining the largest network of private conservation countries in the world. "

Botanical Gardens Harry P. 1920 N. Leu Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803-1537, Phone: (407) 246-2620. "Miles of paved scenic walkways that guide you through the garden settings,including: Camellia America's largest collection outside of California and the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a house museum since 1880, a palm garden, bamboo garden. New gardens are the Tropical Stream Garden, the garden and new kitchen with herbs, vegetables and a butterfly garden! "

Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33872, Phone: (941) 386-6094. "The contrast of the dark swamp waters off the light strains of the nudeThe trees remind us of northern forests. white-tailed deer munch their way through the campsites, enjoy the dispersal of acorns around the base of several oak trees. Bobcat tracks can be found every morning in the wet sand along the roads, and the Barred Owl call as soon as the sun goes down. Visitors enjoy the alligators who enjoy the warm sun, the cool night temperatures below. "

Lake Kissimmee State Park Camp 14 248 Mack Road, Lake Wales, FL 33853;Phone:) 696-1112. 941 ("Florida Heritage cowboy lives in Florida with the life events of the early history of" cow hunters "in an era cow camp-1876, open 9:30 clock-4: Clock stag weekends and holidays. 30 white tail, cranes, turkeys, eagles, and lynx have been seen in the park, located on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie drive. Visitors, canoeing and fishing in the picturesque lakes. Nature students walk over 13 milesHiking trails to observe and study the rich flora and fauna. Six miles of trails are open for riders. A large shaded picnic area with pavilions is available. The park has full-facility campsites and a primitive camping facility. The camp has space for young people up to 50 people. The dark skies make stargazing a popular nighttime activity for campers. "

Ocala National Forest USDA Forest Service, 17 147 E. Hwy 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488 Phone: (352) 625-7470."The forest is 383 573 hectares of unique ecological sites, trails, natural springs. There are hundreds of campsites throughout the forest offer full-service rustic campsites pages. The National Forest also has designated trails for horseback riding. Hunting is permitted in some areas where the application of strict government regulations. recreational areas include Alexander Springs, Fore Lake Recreation Area, Juniper Springs, Lake Eaton Loop Trail, LakeEaton Sink Hole, Mill Dam Recreation Area, Salt Springs and Salt Springs Trail. Specially marked walking / hiking trails are located in this wonderful resource. Lake Eaton Sinkhole and the Lake Eaton Loop are only two land routes, visitors traveled easily on the surface of the slopes can be explored. "

Silver River State Park 7165 NE 7th Street, Ocala, FL 34470, Tel: (352) 236-1827. "This park has more than 14 different natural communities, dozens of sources,and miles of hiking trails. The adjoining Silver Springs attraction houses the headwaters of the Silver River, which flows through the park in the Ocklawaha River. The park is home to a pioneer cracker village and the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. The center is managed by the Marion County School District, in cooperation with the park and is open to the public on weekends and public weekdays from 9.00 am to 05.00 clock. Watch for the entrance fee to the museum is $ 2.00 perperson.Children 6 and under are free. "

Silver Springs PO Box 370, (5656 E. SR -40), Silver Springs, FL 34489, Tel: (800) 234-7458. "Silver Springs is a 350-acre theme park, nature surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the world's largest artesian wells. Located 90 Miles north of Orlando, east of Ocala, Florida. Here you can underground springs from our famous glass-bottom boat, where fish, shellfish will be seen,Turtles and crocodiles in the water that is up to 80 feet deep and 99.8% pure. Walk the beautiful gardens and experience the natural habitats of Florida's largest alligators, endangered bears and panthers, Kritter Korral petting zoo, a variety of entertaining performances by the Wildlife Birds of Prey more snakes and reptiles. There are rides and exhibits for all ages in a natural setting of breathtaking beauty. "

University of Central Florida Arboretum 4000 Central Florida. Blvd Orlando, FL 32816-2368 Phone: (407) 823-2141. "Arboretum of the University of Central Florida, in 1983 founded the '. Of the original 12-acre" Quick View Garden "with a mixture of native and ornamental plants in the pond pine community at the Stockard Conservatory, greenhouse, arboretum has grown nearly 80 acres . 9 acres north of the artificial lake and Engineering E-2 parking lot, trails lead visitors through a cypress dome 5-7 acres and a picturesque2-3 acre oak hammock. To the north of the oak hammock the way to an open area with wild rosemary, sand pine, scrub oak and returning to the cypress dome. An unmarked trail circles the cypress dome in the north, club mosses, carnivorous sundew and along the sides, before returning to the main road on the southwest side of the dome. Follow the wide gravel road of sand on the west by a "mature" sands and wild rosemary pine community for an early exit from the University of [last burned in 1950]Field House Road, or the return on Arboretum trails. "

Winter Park Azalea Gardens strength, Winter Park, phone 407-599-3334: Alabama Drive Palmer Avenue. Thousands of azaleas, perennials and tropical trees grow luxuriantly on the shores of Lake Maitland, where the fresh breezes and breathtaking sunsets can be found. Azaleas bloom in January to March.

Although the Orlando area is particularly known for its major attractions and thrilling theme parks, many nature loversto enjoy parks, gardens and wildlife. For more information about the area from Orlando to the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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