Lake Lizzie Conservation Area

Encompassing scrub, flatwoods, wet prairie and freshwater swamp, this county preserve is part of the Lake Mary Jane – Upper Econ Mosaic, a regional Important Bird Area designated by Audubon Florida. There are 14 miles of trails to wander, so pick up a map at the entrance to the property. Follow the main trail to the south, make the first turn to the east, and curve back north again to follow the powerline past Trout Lake and its wetlands. Watch for Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Wood Stork, Bald Eagle and Swallow-tailed Kite along this route. Due south from the parking area, some patches of wet prairie with bayheads shelter nesting Florida Sandhill Cranes and Wilson’s Snipe (winter) and American Woodcock. The entire preserve is good for migratory songbirds; on a morning’s hike, you may see Ruby-crowned Kinglets (winter), Northern Parulas, Pine, Prairie and Palm Warblers, Summer Tanagers, American Goldfinches (winter) and 7 species of woodpecker. Camping is available by permit only.