The World Heritage Committee officially added the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge joined the UNESCO World Heritage List on Saturday during the 48th annual session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. This designation places the southeast Georgia wetland alongside iconic global landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. Kim Bednarek, the executive director of Okefenokee Swamp Park & Okefenokee Adventures, accepted the inscription on behalf of the site. During his speech to the committee, Kim Bednarek described the refuge as a location where nature still reigns. The addition recognizes the wetland's significant natural and cultural value on a global scale. The prestigious list serves as a collection of the planet’s most treasured sites, and the new inclusion highlights the importance of the Okefenokee's unique ecosystem.