Deep in the heart of southern Georgia lies one of the most outstanding examples of an ecologically intact swamp in North America: the Okefenokee swamp. At 438,000-acres, the Okefenokee is North America’s largest blackwater wetland, sheltering a vast mosaic of pine islands, cypress forests and blackwater channels. Undisturbed by encroachment of agriculture or other development, the Okefenokee remains one of the world’s healthiest large-scale freshwater ecosystems, sheltering diverse habitats and an incredible array of wildlife. The health and vitality of this blackwater wetland and its neighboring rivers are now under threat by proposed mining operations in the region. Check out our story map to learn more!
