Disney Wilderness Preserve
Disney Wilderness Preserve | |
---|---|
Nearest city | Kissimmee, Florida |
Coordinates | 28°07′44″N 81°25′49″W / 28.1290°N 81.4302°W |
Area | 11,500 acres (47 km2) |
Established | 1993 |
Owner | The Nature Conservancy |
The Disney Wilderness Preserve is a 11,500-acre
History
Walt Disney World was seeking permits for the expansion of
The Disney Wilderness Preserve was formed from the Walker Ranch parcel, and was officially established in April 1993. It was thereafter owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. The Walt Disney Company provided additional funds for landscape rehabilitation and wildlife monitoring. As of 2003, Disney committed almost $40 million to the project.[3]
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority added 3,000 acres to the preserve in 1995 to offset the expansion of Orlando International Airport.[2][6]
In 2014, Walt Disney World purchased a 3,000 acre failed resort development called Mira Lago. The parcel is adjacent to the Disney Wilderness Preserve, located in Poinciana. Although it was speculated that the land would be integrated in the preserve,[7] Disney retained private ownership of the parcel. The land is similarly managed for wetland conservation.[8]
Characteristics
The Disney Wilderness Preserve is located on the headwaters of the Greater Everglades watershed.[2] It is bordered by Lake Russell to the north, Lake Hatchineha to the south, Reedy Creek to the east, and privately owned land to the west.[6] It is seasonally wet and flooded, receiving an average of 1150 mm of precipitation annually.[9]
The principal goal of the Disney Wilderness Preserve is to restore and manage wetland ecosystems. As of 2013, 3,222 acres of wetlands and 300 acres of uplands had been restored within the boundaries of the preserve. Wet conditions were reintroduced to the former pastureland through the removal of invasive grasses, such as
The site is dominated by
Recreation
On November 11, 1999, the Disney Wilderness Preserve opened to the public.[11] The park offers an educational center and 7 miles of trails.[1]
Scientific initiatives
The Nature Conservancy is working with the
The University of Central Florida and the National Ecological Observatory Network conduct ecological research within the Disney Wilderness Preserve.[2]
References
- ^ a b "The Disney Wilderness Preserve / The Nature Conservancy". Osceola County. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Disney Wilderness Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "Disney Wilderness Preserve". The Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on August 19, 2003.
- ^ Lebowitz, Lawrence J. (September 11, 1991). "Disney Takes Walker Ranch Option". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d Palmer, Tom (February 16, 2013). "Disney Wilderness Preserve Site Is Internationally Recognized Model for Success". The Ledger. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Disney Wilderness Preserve". Audubon. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ Storey, Ken (October 26, 2015). "Disney to preserve 3,000 acres of wetlands so they can destroy wetlands closer to park". Orlando Weekly. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ Palmer, Tom (November 29, 2014). "Disney Land Purchase to Add To Preserve". The Ledger. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Disney Wilderness Preserve - DSNY". National Ecological Observatory Network. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve". The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "Disney Wilderness Preserve, The". D23. Retrieved 20 July 2020.