One of the most unique swamps in the United States could soon get international recognition — and the swarms of visitors that come with increased status.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 400,000 acres of swampland near the Georgia–Florida border. As the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers, this diverse habitat and haven for alligators has been protected since 1937 and is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. And now it could receive international recognition as a World Heritage Site.
This week, UNESCO — the United Nations organization dedicated to education, culture, sciences, and biodiversity — is meeting in South Korea to consider new additions to its list of World Heritage Sites. Okefenokee is on the list because of its wealth of animals and plant life, and because it’s more “hydrologically intact” than similar wilderness areas like the Everglades, according to UNESCO.
If approved, this swampy wilderness known as a bucket-list destination for paddlers could soon see many more visitors — whether locals like it or not.
Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge
If you’ve never heard of Okefenokee, you’re not the only one. It’s far less well-known than Everglades National Park, despite being the largest wildlife refuge east of the Mississippi River.
Many serious kayakers and canoers, however, love the Okefenokee for its lush vegetation, rich wildlife, and a huge population of 15,000 alligators. Depending on the time of year, it’s not uncommon for a kayaker to see more than 100 gators on a single 10-mile paddle through the refuge. Multiday river camping trips are also a popular way to experience the swamp.
Indeed, Okefenokee’s remarkably healthy ecosystem is the main reason why it has attracted international attention. That recognition dates back to 1986, when it was designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention (the oldest of the modern global environmental agreements).
Today, it remains one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems. It’s the “last-standing large, naturally driven freshwater wetland in the eastern U.S.,” according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Okefenokee offers diverse habitats, including open lakes, marshes, scrub-shrub, cypress forests, and pine islands.
Moreover, those habitats are home to threatened and endangered species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and wood stork. There are also 1,000 species of moths.
“Unlike many other significant wetland areas, the swamp is the source of rivers rather than their recipient, as in a delta, and therefore escapes most disturbances to natural hydrology and water flow,” UNESCO wrote. “The refuge’s undisturbed peat beds store valuable information on environmental conditions over the past 5,000 years and are a significant source of information related to global changes.”
Mixed Reactions Among Locals
The southern Georgia counties surrounding Okefenokee are deeply conservative, and many residents aren’t stoked about receiving international attention. In fact, many of them are concerned that the positive recognition will somehow undermine U.S. sovereignty. Local publications like The Current have outlined some of the concerns of residents, and an online petition with 1,000 signatures demands a withdrawal of the refuge from UNESCO consideration.
That’s perhaps not too surprising, given that President Trump plans to withdraw the U.S. from participation in UNESCO by the end of 2026. (Trump also withdrew from UNESCO during his first term, but the U.S. rejoined under President Biden.)
However, none of that actually impacts the designation of Okefenokee as a World Heritage Site. The U.S. doesn’t have to participate in UNESCO for the organization to decide that a refuge in the U.S. is worthy of recognition. Nor does the recognition mean any interference or involvement by U.N. officials. The refuge would remain under management by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
It could mean increased visitors to the swamp, though. If the refuge receives World Heritage Site status, a 2024 Conservation Fund report found that the number of people visiting the Okefenokee each year could double from 800,000 to 1.6 million by 2035. That might bring big changes to the tiny towns surrounding this little-known paradise for outdoorsmen, the Georgia Recorder reported.
“Heck, we only got a Dollar General about four years ago,” said Rodney Thompson of St. George, who runs the YouTube channel Blackwater Outdoor Journeys. “So that tells you how small we are. But I think that if it’s done right and you’ve got the right people behind it, I think that it can have a positive impact on these smaller communities.”
Want more info on paddling in Okefenokee? Check out PaddleOkefenokee.com.
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