The Nature Conservancy's Tiger Creek Preserve

Tiger Creek Preserve in Babson Park covers nearly 5,000 acres and is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. Choose from 3 different trailheads to access our trail network of over 10 miles of hiking trails.

Tiger Creek Preserve is part of the Lake Wales Ridge, also known as the oldest and highest landmasses in Florida. Because of this, there are 15 rare plants and animals found nowhere else in the world! Tiger Creek is a high-quality blackwater seepage stream—so called because it drains wetlands, and the vegetation that falls into the creek colors the water. There are only two or three high-quality streams like it remaining on the Lake Wales Ridge. The preserve protects various Florida habitat—hardwood swamps and hammocks, scrubby—and pine—flatwoods and sandhills.

Tiger Creek Preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy, which is the world’s leading private conservation organization. Since 1951 they have worked with communities, businesses and people to protect more than 119 million acres worldwide. In 1971, The Nature Conservancy joined with the local community to protect Tiger Creek and its surrounding uplands. Today, The Nature Conservancy owns and manages the 5,000-acre Tiger Creek Preserve.

Tiger Creek Preserve is 1 of 4 campus preserves under The Nature Conservancy's Center for Conservation Initiatives (CCI). CCI is working across Florida to advance conservation through education and training, outreach and volunteerism, science and research and land stewardship.