Okefenokee UNESCO World Heritage Site Project
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge's (ONWR)
The Okefenokee Swamp Park (OSP) embarked on an innovative public-private partnership working with the USFWS in support of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s (ONWR) designation as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
Through this partnership, the OSP and ONWR increased the visibility of the swamp and worked on an interdependent economic development model, one in which non-profit institutions, the private sector, and government together support sustainable conservation and development.
The two interns, Savannah and Jordyn, worked with the OSP and other organizations to draft a UNESCO World Heritage nomination proposal, lead interpretive trips in the swamp, met with community members, hosted legislators, and provided other educational services to the team. Ultimately, the intern pair helped to raise the visibility of the swamp to bring in more tourism and bolster the bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With the help of two interns, ONWR was able to apply for UNESCO World Heritage Site status to protect the park from development and raise awareness of this fragile ecosystem. To view a larger image of this presentation, click here.
