Nature Preserves
Lakeland Highlands Scrub — Lakeland
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One of the last remaining remnants of the Lakeland Ridge where one can view dwarf scrub oaks, adapted to the sandy soils. The site is home to rare plant species and wildlife such as gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jay and indigo snakes. 6998 Lakeland Highlands Rd. MAP GRID D-7 PolkNature.com 863-534-7377
Mackay Gardens & Lakeside Preserve — Lake Alfred
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Mosaic Peace River Park — Bartow
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Enjoy scenic vistas from the mile-long boardwalk that winds through the flood- plain to the river. See wildflowers, air plants and wildlife and learn about the Peace River ecosystem from educational signage posted along the way. 2200 C.R. 640 MAP GRID E-8 FloridaHikes.com/Peace-River-Park 863-534-4340
Patterson Park — Fort Meade
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A pristine expanse of natural Florida called the Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve. With almost a mile of lakefront shoreline, this 112-acre property is home to many species of endangered plants and animals. 900 Mackay Blvd. MAP GRID F-6 MyLakeAlfred.com/Parks 863-291-5270
The park offers a number of amenities such as fishing, canoeing, boating and hiking as well as shaded gazebos with picnic tables, a beach volleyball court and restrooms. 601 N. Charleston Ave. MAP GRID E-9 863-285-1111
Marshall Hampton Reserve — Winter Haven
Pine Ridge Nature Preserve at Bok Tower Gardens — Lake Wales
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Visitors can enjoy open pastures, oak hammocks and a pond rich with birds. The shade of the large trees provides great refuge for visitors as well as wildlife. A variety of wildlife can be observed on the site, such as alligators, bobcat, turkey and pileated woodpeckers. South Corner of Thornhill Rd. & S.R. 540 MAP GRID E-7 PolkNature.com 863-665-0062
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Visitors can experience a bog garden, an open glade and a sandhill forest community on a 3/4-mile trail that begins at Window by the Pond and terminates at the parking lot. Many shaded benches along the way serve as places for relaxation and reflection. 1151 Tower Blvd. MAP GRID G-7 BokTowerGardens.org 863-676-1408
Saddle Creek Park — Lakeland
SUMICA — Lake Wales
Watch the wetlands, in the more than 500 acres of lakes, for waders such as glossy ibises and limpkins. Hike through mixed hardwood and cypress forest for a chance to see 36 warbler species in fall migration. Access for boating, fishing and canoeing. 3716 Morgan Combee Rd. MAP GRID D-6 SaddleCreekPark.com 863-413-2399
Osprey Photo Credit: Al Snow
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Nature Preserves
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4,031 acres featuring three trails, provide 9.1 miles of nature viewing among the pine flatwoods, oak hammock and marsh habitats. You may see a variety of birds, deer, bobcats, fox, gopher tortoises and occasional bear tracks. 14020 Hwy. 60 E. MAP GRID I-8 PolkNature.com 863-534-7377
Street Audubon Center — Winter Haven 27
Tenoroc Fish Management Area — Lakeland
Located on a 42-acre sanctuary in Winter Haven, the Lake Region Audubon Society welcomes guests to the historic home on the property as well as two winding nature trails and a boardwalk over the waters of Lake Ned. 115 Lameraux Rd. MAP GRID F-7 LakeRegionAudubon.org 863-324-7304
Tenoroc is one of the gateways to the Great Florida Birding Trail with more than 10 miles of hiking trails offering both easy ambles on level ground and challenging hikes on hilly terrain. Birding hotspots at Tenoroc are numerous. 3829 Tenoroc Mine Rd. MAP GRID D-5 863-648-3200
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