Florida has a large amount of biodiversity and nature lovers, the great variety of plants that are in the Sunshine State to enjoy. On our recent trip to Orlando, we have the opportunity to visit different places, with parks and gardens, as Harry P. Leu Gardens and the historic Bok Sanctuary had. Even my excursion on the Scenic Boat Tour in Winter Park, I was very close to some of the fascinating flowers and plants in the Orlando area.

Florida is a mixture of subtropicaland the tropical climate and the area around Orlando are more subtropical. Central Florida is a warm, but often stormy climate, and experiences many storms with the risk of frequent hurricanes.

Geographically, the central area of Florida including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard and Volusia counties, and some believe Polk and Sumter counties also part of Central Florida. These low lying areas are dominated by hundreds of lakes surrounded by marshland. Storiespredominant industries are cotton, citrus and livestock. The climate supports a wide range of plants and animals.

Nature lovers will delight in the abundant gardens and parks of Central Florida that offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature up close. Here is a collection of parks and gardens, which will give exposure to great natural beauty of Central Florida:

Archbold Biological Station PO Box 2057, (Old State Road 8), Lake Placid, FL 33862nd Phone: (941) 465-2571."The station promotes the long-term ecological research on native plants and animals in central Florida and also provides environmental education for children K-12.

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

Cypress Gardens 2641 South Lake Summit Road, Cypress Gardens, FL 33884th, Tel: (800) 282-2123. "Sentinel feet in the historic gardens is the giant Banyan Tree, who in 1939 planted a seedling in the parks early in life. Topiary Trail features a collection of colorful topiaries, including a variety of animals like a rabbit, swan and serpent. Culmination of Jewel of plants in the footsteps of jewelry is a waterfall, asparkling waterfall accented by brilliant flower bloom. The Plantation Gardens mercy of the nature of good Snively Mansion ", and include the herb garden, a lovely rose garden, butterfly garden and the adjoining Wings of Wonder."

Disney Wilderness Preserve 6075 Scrub Jay Trail Kissimmee, FL 34759th, Tel: (407) 935-0002. "Fifteen miles south of Walt Disney World, in the heart of Central Florida is Disney Wilderness Reserve. The site, originally Walker Ranch, is nowowned and managed by the Nature Conservancy, a private, non-profit conservation organization that is responsible for the largest network of private conservation countries in the world. "

Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens 1920 N. Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803-1537, Tel: (407) 246-2620. "Miles of paved walkways that take place through the beautiful garden settings, including: America is the largest Camellia collection outside California and the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a house museum datingSince 1880, a palm garden, bamboo garden. Among the new tropical gardens Stream Garden, and the new kitchen garden with herbs, vegetables and a butterfly garden! "

Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33872nd, Tel: (941) 386-6094. "The contrast between the dark swamp water the light from the bare trees, more reminiscent of the forests of the north. White-tailed deer, Munch their way across the sea, enjoying a circulation of acornsaround the base of several oak trees. Bobcat tracks can be found every morning in the wet sand along the roads and Barred owls call as soon as the sun goes down. Visitors enjoy seeing alligators as they feel the warm sun and cool temperatures at night result. "

Lake Kissimmee State Park 14,248 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales, FL 33853rd, Tel: (941) 696-1112. "Florida's cowboy heritage alive with living history demonstrations of early Florida" hunters "in a 1876-era cowcow camp, open 9:30-4: 30 pm weekends and holidays. White-tailed deer, bald eagles, Sandhill cranes have, turkeys, and the Bobcats saw in the park, which lies on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. Visitors enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing in the scenic lakes. Physics students can go over 13 miles of trails to observe and study the rich flora and fauna. Six miles of trails open to riders. A large shaded picnic area with pavilions is available.The park is full, camping structure and primitive camping. The youth camping area can accommodate up to 50 people. Dark clouds stargazing night is a popular activity for campers. "

Ocala National Forest USDA Forest Service, 17,147 E. Hwy 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488th Phone: (352) 625-7470. "Forest offers 383,573 acres of unique ecological sites, trails, natural springs. There are hundreds of choices in the forest to provideeverything from full-service campsites with more rustic sites. The National Forest is designated trails for horseback riding was. Hunting is allowed only in areas where the application of state standards are strict. Recreational areas include Alexander Springs Submitted Lake Recreation Area, Juniper Springs, Lake Eaton Loop Trail, Lake Eaton sink, Mill Dam Recreation Area, Salt Springs and Salt Springs Trail. Specially marked hiking trails located throughout thisfantastic resource. Lake Eaton Sinkhole and the Lake Eaton Loop are only two paths that give visitors to the area of philosophy easily traveled interpretive trails to explore. "

Silver River State Park 7165 NE 7th Street, Ocala, FL 34470, Tel: (352) 236-1827. "This park is more than 14 different natural communities, dozens of springs, and miles of beautiful trails. The adjoining Silver Springs attraction houses the main water masses of the Silver River, which flows through the parkOcklawaha River. From the park is home to a pioneer cracker village and the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. The center is in Marion County School District works in collaboration with the park and is open to the public on weekends and holidays, 9:00-5:00. hours access to the museum is $ 2.00 for person.Children 6 and under are free. "

Silver Springs, PO Box 370, (5656 E. SR -40), Silver Springs, FL 34489th, Tel: (800) 234-7458. "Silver Springs is a 350Natural-acre theme park around the source in the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Located 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida. Here you can see the underground springs from our famous glass-bottom boat, where fish, shellfish, turtles and crocodiles in the water and see that there are up to 80 feet deep and 99.8% pure. Walking through the beautiful grounds and experience the natural habitats of Florida's largest alligators, endangered bearsand Panthers, CRI Korral børnezoo, in addition to a variety of entertainment from the Wildlife Birds of Prey to snakes and reptiles. There are rides and exhibits for all ages in a natural environment in a beautiful setting. "

University of Central Florida Arboretum 4000 Central Florida Blvd Orlando, FL 32816-2368 Phone: (407) 823-2141. "Arboretum at the University of Central Florida was founded in 1983. Of the 12 original-view acres quick" garden with a mixture of ornamental plants and nativepond pine community along the Stockard Conservatory Greenhouse, the Arboretum has grown to approximately 80 hectares. North of the 9-acre man-made pond and Engineering E-2 parking lot, trails lead visitors through a cypress dome 5-7 hectare and an overview of 2-3 acre oak hammock. Northern oak hammock, the path crosses a open space with wild rosemary and sand pine, oak, returning to the cypress dome. Looking for a marked path cypress dome on the northern clubmosses and carnivorous Lounge along the sides, before entering the main road on the southwest side of the dome. Follow the wide white sand beaches of the route west through a "mature" [last burned in 1950] and sand pines community rosemary for a quick exit for the University Fieldhouse Road, or the interest rate on the trails Arboretum. "

Kraft Azalea Gardens Winter Park, Winter Park, 407-599-3334 Tel: Drive from Palmer located on Alabama Avenue. Thousands of azaleas, tropical shrubs and trees growluxuriantly along Lake Maitland, where the cold wind and breathtaking sunsets can be found. Azalea blooms in January from mid-March.

Although the Orlando area is particularly known for his great thrill attractions and amusement parks, nature lovers will find numerous parks, gardens and natural areas to enjoy. For more information about the Orlando area you can contact the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau.