News From the Okefenokee
As a community based not-for-profit nature center with a passion for immersive learning about all things Okefenokee, we are often featured in state and regional news feeds. If you are a partner, a member, a patron, a volunteer or one of our OSPrey Society investors, this section is for you! Enjoy reading about our work and how it impacts the Okefenokee Swamp for the good. Want to be inspired by current news stories that are relevant to the nature center world and environmental education, we have that too!
2023
- A Mining Proposal in the Okefenokee Threatens America’s Largest Remaining Blackwater Swamp, Outdoor Life, March 15, 2023
- The benefits of making the Okefenokee swamp a World Heritage Site, Newnan Times-Herald, March 13, 2023
- The Okefenokee in Peril, Garden And Gun, March 13, 2023
- Researchers recover skeleton of Doc, an 11-foot alligator, deep in Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia Public Broadcasting, March 6, 2023
- The Okefenokee experience: Written in the stars, Saporta Report, March 6, 2023
- The Fate of the Okefenokee Swamp Is in Your Hands, The New York Times, February 27, 2023
- Elise Bennett: Why Floridians must oppose a mine planned next to the Okefenokee, Florida Times-Union, February 19, 2023
- Sen. Ossoff Submits Formal Opposition to Strip Mine Proposal Near Okefenokee Swamp, Newsbreak Original, February 18, 2023
- Ossoff asks Georgia to reject proposed mine near Okefenokee Swamp, Axios Atlanta, February 16, 2023
- Ossoff urges state to block mine near Okefenokee Swamp, warning of dire environmental consequences, Georgia Public Broadcasting (with audio), February 16, 2023
- Let’s step up and save the Okefenokee, Daily Journal, February 10, 2023
- Remains of 11-foot alligator recovered from Georgia swamp are reassembled, Yahoo!Entertainment, February 10, 2023
- UGA researchers go deep into Georgia swamp to find massive gator after losing GPS signal, WSBTV.com, February 9, 2023
- Okefenokee officials welcome delegation’s help on UNESCO status, Senator Jon Ossoff The Brunswick News, February 7, 2023
- Sen. Ossoff, Rep. Buddy Carter Launch Bipartisan Push to Make Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge a World Heritage Site, Senator Jon Ossoff Press Release, February 3, 2023
- UGA professor explains mining process, Yahoo!News, February 1, 2023
- How a defunct Trump policy still threatens Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp, Grist, January 31, 2023
- The Surprising U.S. Destinations Named On Forbes “Best Places to Travel 2023” List, Travel Off Path, January 31, 2023
- New documentary shows Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as more than ‘just a swamp’, Savannah Morning News, January 30, 2023
- Bipartisan bill aims to protect Okefenokee Swamp from titanium mining, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 25, 2023
- Bill banning mining near Okefenokee resurfaces in General Assembly, Capitol Beat, January 25, 2023
- Thomasville lawmaker pushes bill to protect ‘vital and precious’ Okefenokee from new mining proposals, Moultrie Observer, January 25, 2023
- Georgia GOP lawmaker pushes bill to protect ‘vital and precious’ Okefenokee from new mining proposals, Georgia Recorder, January 25, 2023
- Despite ongoing investigation and scientific disputes, a plan for strip mine near Okefenokee advances, The Current, January 20, 2023
- Draft plans released for controversial Okefenokee titanium mine , Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 19, 2023
- Twinkle, twinkle fading stars: Hiding in our brighter skies, Associated Press, January 19, 2023
- Despite ongoing investigation and scientific disputes, a plan for strip mine near Okefenokee advances, The Current/Georgia, January 19, 2023
- Regulators move mine plan near Okefenokee a big step forward, Associated Press/Seattle Times, January 19, 2023
- Public comments for Okefenokee Swamp mining plans are open, Savannah Morning News, January 19, 2023
- Defenders’ Southeast Program Reflects on 2022 and Looks Ahead to 2023, Defenders of Wildlife, January 12, 2023
- We’ve Lost Okefenokee Joe, Georgia Outdoor News, January 12, 2023
- Georgia’s own Okefenokee Joe dies in Augusta at 90, Georgia Public Television, January 11, 2023
- U.S. Supreme Court decision in waterways case could come too late for Okefenokee mine foes, Georgia Recorder, January 9, 2023
- EV and solar bills expected during legislative session – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 6, 2023
- Large, eerie shadows lurking below surface of Georgia’s blackwater swamps are alive, Georgia Public Broadcasting, January 5, 2023
- Valdosta on record opposing mining operation, Valdosta Daily Times, January 1, 2023
- 18 Georgia Spring Break Destinations for Families, Explore Georgia, January, 2023
2022
- Restored wetlands protections may not prevent mining near the Okefenokee, The Current GA, December 31, 2022
- Water wars on the Okefenokee heighten as EPD ends year with no permit decision, Savannah Morning News, December 17, 2022
- The Okefenokee is still in peril, Hatch, December 16, 2022
- U.S. agency sued over hands-off decision on Okefenokee mine, AP News, November 15, 2022
- Shelf Life: What’s new at Jacksonville Public Library, Fen, Bog and Swamp by Annie Proulx, Jacksonville Journal – Courier, November 12, 2022
- Trip to Georgia: Things to do, The Georgia Sun, November 11, 2022
- From appreciation to conservation: Nine families’ first-ever camping trip in the Okefenokee, Saporta Report, November 11, 2022
- Analysis Shows Threat to Our Waters from Supreme Court Case, Natural Resources Defense Council, November 1, 2022
- Former Georgia and Federal Officials Decry Proposed Okefenokee Mining Project, Defenders of Wildlife, October 25, 2022
- 15 of the USA’s most incredible wildlife and where to see them, Wanderlust, October 18, 2022
- Refuge names annual photography contest winner, Charlton County Herald, October 18, 2022
- Local voices matter, here in Charlton County and international decisions, Charlton County Herald, October 18, 2022
- Don’t drain the swamp: Annie Proulx extols the virtues of wetlands, The Christian Science Monitor, October 5, 2022
- State board meeting at Okefenokee Swamp draws mining project critics, Capitol Beat, September 29, 2022
- Okefenokee mining opponents express concerns as DNR board meets, Capitol Beat, September 28, 2022
- What would Teddy Roosevelt think about the Okefenokee?, Georgia Recorder, September 27, 2022
- Camp Charlie will allow newbies to experience Okefenokee, Yahoo! News/The Albany Herald, Ga., September 24, 2022
- OKEFENOKEE Heavy & Precious, The Bitter Southerner, September 21, 2022
- NEWS BRIEF: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge fights to gain World Heritage listing: 400,000 acres, thousands of animal and plant species, Creative Loafing/Original Atlanta, September 21, 2022
- Dozens of Groups Urge Interior Department to Greenlight Okefenokee World Heritage Bid: North America’s Largest Blackwater Swamp Deserves Global Recognition, Press Release, Center for Biological Diversity, September 20, 2022
- Secretary of the Interior visits the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Charlton County Herald, September 20, 2022
- Interior secretary visits Okefenokee, The Brunswick News, Ga./Yahoo! News, September 20, 2022
- Clear majority of Georgians oppose mine, The Brunswick News, Ga./Yahoo! News, September 19, 2022
- Georgians want protection for Okefenokee, ValidostaToday.com, September 19, 2022
- Proposed titanium mine near Florida’s Okefenokee wildlife refuge moving forward after Army Corps of Engineers drops protections, Spot on Florida, September 19, 2022
- Visit from Interior Secretary shines a light on Okefenokee supporters, The Current, September 17, 2022
- Sen. Ossoff, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Inspect Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Press Release, September 16, 2022
- GA Groups Fight to Stop Mine Near Okefenokee, Public News Service, September 16, 2022
- Share Secretary Haaland Highlights Conservation Efforts, Wildfire Prevention Investments, During Visit to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Press Release, September 16, 2022
- Majority of Georgians say governor should protect Okefenokee | Jobs, Albany Herald, September 15, 2022
- 7 Places To Commune With Nature in Georgia, Yahoo News, August 19, 2022
- Okefenokee Swamp lures you in with its peaceful, haunting beauty, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 28, 2022
- State leaders must act to protect Okefenokee, The Brunswick News, July 26, 2022
- GALLERY: Story time with Okefenokee Wildlife, Coastal Courier, July 26, 2022
- Story time highlights wildlife refuge, Coastal Courier, July 26, 2022
- Muscogee Creek Nation gets a say in management of Georgia’s Okefenokee wildlife refuge, WBUR, July 21, 2022
- 15-foot snake shot and killed by police as it was strangling man, CBS News, July 21, 2022
- Okefenokee mine permit revoked by Army Corps, Hatch, June 7, 2022
- Why the Muscogee (Creek) Nation gets a say on the Okefenokee mine proposal, Wabe, June 6, 2022
- Federal government reverses decision on mine near the Okefenokee, Wabe, June 4, 2022
- Sen. Ossoff Secures Restored Protection of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Press Release June 4, 2022
- The Okefenokee Experience: A tri-county effort to boost ecotourism around the swamp, SaportaReport, Hannah E. Jones, May 30, 2022
- US Senator for Georgia Jon Ossoff is advocating for the protection of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Press Release May 26, 2022
- Fox 31 News Briefing: Senator Jon Ossoff is advocating for the protection of the Okefenokee swamp – May 25, 2022
- Okefenokee Experience Congressionally Directed Spending Request
- Meet Peat, the Unsung Hero of Carbon Capture, The New York Times, Feb. 22, 2022
- Okefenokee Swamp Day To Be Proclaimed at Georgia Capitol, Coastal Courier, Feb. 7, 2022
2009-21
- It’s Okefenokee’s turn to take the global stage, The Gainesville Sun, Feb. 2, 2021
- Exploring Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia’s top wildlife tourism destination, MSN.com
- Okefenokee Swamp Park Expands Operations, Sept. 8, 2020
- Valdosta State partners with Okefenokee Swamp, ValidostaToday.com July 22, 2020
- Okefenokee Swamp Park unveil effort to protect native alligators, Fox28 Savannah, August 31, 2020
- Georgia’s 2020 Clean Water Heroes
- Okefenokee Swamp Exhibit now on display at Port Wentworth Welcome Center, WJCL, Oct 19, 2020
- VSU – Okefenokee form academic partnership, Valdosta Daily Times, July 28, 2020
- UGA researchers work with alligators in Okefenokee, WGAU, Sept. 1, 2020
- Kim Bednarek Named Executive Director of Okefenokee Swamp Park, June 2020
- Outdoor enthusiasts can still travel Okefenokee through Georgia Conservancy program, Savannah Morning News, April 23, 2020
- 8 U.S. canoe trips that’ll transport you into the American wild, Travel + Leisure, August 16, 2020
- The 10 best American swamp tours to go on in 2019, The Travel, July 1, 2019
- Okefenokee Swamp Park Video, June 11, 2018
- Okefenokee Swamp: ’Trembling Earth’ stirs deep emotions, The Island Packet
- Plan your trip: A guide to the Okefenokee swamp, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 2, 2018
- Okefenokee Swamp Park remains open despite fire, Jacksonville.com, April 27, 2017
- More than a swamp: Okefenokee wildlife refuge still amazes, Jacksonville.com, June 22, 2015
- Want to see fall colors? They’re in full bloom at Okefenokee, Jacksonville.com, Nov. 23, 2009
