It's easy to see why Central Florida folks refer to the Econlockhatchee River as just the Econ. This blackwater river, stained with tannins, originates in the swamps of Osceola County. New sections of wilderness area surrounding the river are being added to state lands, a little at a time. The Little-Big Econ State Forest covers 5,000 acres nearby Florida's famed Disney World and the Orlando metropolis, covered in black asphalt and bumper-to-bumper traffic.
     The state forest corridor not only protects the river from storm water runoff and pollutants, but numerous wildlife species, including deer, river otter, fox, wild turkey, bobcats, bald eagles, hawks and wading birds. The wilderness area is intertwined with hiking trails, featuring the Cross Florida Hiking Trail, Kolokee and Flagler Trails. This Seminole County preserve is a popular respite from the city hubbub and a great introduction to Florida's natural habitats.