Split Oak Forest is a nearly 2,000-acre area located in south
Orange and north Osceola counties. Split Oak is part of Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission's
Mitigation Park Program. Split Oak
was purchased in 1994 through a cooperative agreement involving the
Florida Communities Trust, Orange County, Osceola County, and the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The previous
land owner managed the area as a cattle ranch, clearing some of the area to provide pasture.
Split Oak Forest is currently managed to enhance
and preserve the habitat of the gopher tortoise, a state and federally
listed species, along with the other wildlife and plants that inhabit
this diverse area. The site is under a
fire management program, and visitors have a first hand opportunity to
observe the positive effects this practice has on our native plant
communities. Wildlife viewing, hiking, and horseback riding are
likely to be most pleasant in the fall, winter and in the spring when
the weather is cooler and bugs may be less plentiful. While you are on the area, be sure to visit the
namesake of Split Oak Forest, a spectacular 200 year-old live oak tree
that was split down the middle and survived!
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