Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia named new UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, encompassing a large portion of the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia, has officially received international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The designation was made during a World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan, South Korea, on July 25.

Located primarily in southeastern Georgia and extending into northeastern Florida, the protected area spans 406,648 acres. UNESCO describes Okefenokee as one of the most extensive and intact ecosystems within the global biodiversity hotspot of the North American coastal plain. It features a complex network of wetlands and serves as the headwaters for the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers.

The refuge's landscape is a dynamic mosaic of wetlands, savannas, and forests, shaped by the constant interplay of water, fire, plants, and fauna. Alternating periods of fire and rain drive peat formation, influencing vegetation structure and biodiversity. The site includes significant areas of longleaf pine savanna, a threatened ecosystem where less than 3% of its original extent remains, supporting a high concentration of endemic plant species.

Okefenokee is home to 1,271 recorded species, providing critical habitat for migratory birds and endangered species, including a notable population of American alligators. Its extensive peat deposits preserve approximately 5,000 years of environmental change, offering a valuable record for understanding long-term environmental transformations. This inscription places the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge among other recognized U.S. sites like the Grand Canyon.