Disney Wilderness Preserve 🌲 The Nature Conservancy

🌞 This 5.5 mile moderately-paced hike (~2.5 mph) will start promptly at 9:30am, with sign in outside the Welcome Center complex beginning after the park's gate opens at 9am. 💦 You MUST BRING WATER and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. 😎 The 4 interconnected trails have minimal shade, so sun protection is ADVISED, i.e. hat & sunscreen. 🦟 Insect protection and a snack is also recommended.

🔺 DWP Rules: "Pets, smoking, weapons, alcohol and boating are prohibited. Please stay on the trail and do not collect plants or animals."

🔹 "Home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals, the 11,500-acre Disney Wilderness Preserve on Lake Russell in Polk & Osceola Counties is an essential part of the Everglades Ecosystem. 🐾 It contains 3,500 acres of restored wetlands that act as nature’s “sponges,” capturing rain, filtering out nutrients and replenishing our groundwater."

🟡 "Although the preserve isn't affiliated with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, The Walt Disney Company has provided funds since the 1990's for restoration and wildlife monitoring on the preserve, and continues to partner on a number of on-site projects today." 🌼

This "Heartland Hike" has a LIMIT -- so please don't sign up unless you definitely plan to attend. And if you change your mind, kindly switch your RSVP to "no" immediately to allow "wait-listers" to move up to "going". 🌞 This is a Florida Trail Association sponsored event.