In Savannah, Georgia, discussions are underway regarding the Okefenokee Swamp, as efforts are being made to have it recognized as a globally significant natural and cultural site by the United Nations. The former Secretary of Agriculture under President Donald Trump, Sonny Perdue, has recently advocated for the enhancement of this federally protected area located on the border of Georgia and Florida. This push began during President Joe Biden’s administration, despite Trump’s quick actions to undo Biden’s policies after returning to office.
Sonny Perdue, who previously served as the governor of Georgia, is now promoting the endeavor to elevate the status of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Currently, only 26 locations in the U.S. have the distinction of being UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and last December, the U.S. Interior Department included the refuge in this exclusive consideration.
In a letter dated April 17 addressed to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Perdue emphasized the immense opportunity this status brings for preserving a national treasure and providing substantial economic advantages to Georgia. This move garners support from both sides of the political spectrum. “This designation is not a partisan issue,” Perdue stated, believing it could solidify the Okefenokee’s standing as a natural marvel while promoting regional economic growth.
Spanning over 400,000 acres in southeastern Georgia, the Okefenokee is the largest national wildlife refuge east of the Mississippi River. Its recognition as a World Heritage site could highlight its role as one of the last remaining blackwater swamps, home to diverse wildlife, including alligators, wood storks, and endangered woodpeckers alongside 400 other species.
The U.S. Interior Department is firmly committed to pursuing World Heritage Site status for the Okefenokee, as reiterated in a statement from department spokesperson Alyse Sharpe. Achieving this designation does not imply any new restrictions or regulations for the swamp or impact potential mineral extraction plans just outside its vicinity. Twin Pines Minerals, a company vying for mining permits, claims that their operations will be non-detrimental, although environmental experts caution against potential irreversible damage.
Since the 1970s, the World Heritage list has included over 1,200 sites worldwide, recognized for their profound universal value. Among these are prominent U.S. landmarks like the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. The proposal for the Okefenokee has long been a “tentative” listing since 1982, gaining momentum in 2023 when the nonprofit Okefenokee Swamp Park teamed up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a nomination application.
The Okefenokee Swamp Park has so far gathered $600,000 to finance this application, stated by its executive director, Kim Bednarek. For the swamp to achieve World Heritage status, it requires full backing from the U.S. government. Bednarek outlined that evaluation experts need to visit the site as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee’s assessment, and a final decision will likely not happen before summer 2026.
“The fact that it happened under the Biden administration is not pivotal,” remarked Bednarek. “What’s pivotal is this is an outstanding place of beauty and diversity that the United States can be proud of. We do expect and hope for the full support of the Trump administration.”