Partners

The Okefenokee Swamp Park envisions a catalytic role for our vast and rare natural wilderness area – one in which our 75-year-old non-profit is a resource of inspiration, education, and stewardship, as well as a tangible source of positive economic change in our community. The Okefenokee Swamp Park is moving into the future, lifted by the unique capacity of the Okefenokee Swamp to serve the community on multiple levels.  This work is made possible through collaborative alliances with governmental, corporate, non-profit, tourism, conservation and educational partners.

Education Partners

Okefenokee RESA
Atkinson County Schools
Bacon County Schools
Brantley County School System
Camden County Schools
Charlton County Schools
Clinch County Schools
Coastal Pines Technical College
Coffee County Schools
Jacksonville University, College of Marine Sciences
Pierce County Schools
South Georgia State College
The University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology
The University of Georgia Marine Extension & Sea Grant 
University of Georgia School of Law
Valdosta State University
Ware County Schools

Conservation Partners

Chattahoochee Nature Center
Defenders of Wildlife
Georgia Conservancy
Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
Georgia Forestry Commission
Georgia River Network
Georgia Water Coalition 
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marys Riverkeeper 
Suwannee Riverkeeper 
Satilla Riverkeeper
Sustainability Partners
US Fish & Wildlife Service
White Oak Conservation Inc. 
Jacksonville Zoo

Tourism Partners

Dixon Memorial State Forest
Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce 
Johnny Appleseed Organic
Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Georgia Department of Transportation
Georgia Department of Economic Development 
Laura S. Walker State Park
Newell Lodge and Resort
Okefenokee Chamber (Charlton County) 
Okefenokee Heritage Center
Pierce County Chamber of Commerce 
Southern Forest World
Stephen C. Foster State Park
Waycross Convention & Visitors Bureau 
Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce
World Honey Market

Corporate & Telecommunications Partners

Aldebaran Partners
Brantley Telephone Company Inc. 
BYRT
The Clark Eye Clinic, PC
Cornelius Farms 
Georgia Power
Gibson-McDonald Furniture
HiQo Solutions Inc.
The Jones Company
Next Level Security Systems Inc.
PowerNet Corp
Rayonier Inc.
Satilla Memorial Health
Southeast Orthopedic
Stewart Candy
Waycross Bank & Trust
Wilson Insurance
Windstream Communications

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Okefenokee Partnership

Mission:

The Okefenokee Partnership enhances appreciation for the Okefenokee Swamp through education and marketing, increasing visitation, and growing the economic impact in South Georgia through ecotourism.

The Okefenokee Partnership is comprised of the three entities that manage the visitor entrances to the Okefenokee Swamp, and the neighboring gateway communities.

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge)
  • Georgia Department of Natural Resources – State Parks and Historic Sites (Stephen C. Foster State Park)
  • Okefenokee Swamp Park, Inc (Okefenokee Swamp Park and Adventures)
  • Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce (Folkston, GA)
  • Waycross Convention and Visitors Bureau (Waycross, GA)
  • City of Fargo and Homerville Main Street

Working collaboratively to promote and market the valuable ecotourism opportunities in the Okefenokee Swamp will allow the Okefenokee Swamp to serve as a major economic driver in these communities by bringing in additional visitors that stay, play, and eat in the Okefenokee region.

Accomplishments:

Port Wentworth Visitor Information Center Exhibit – Four million visitors annually will now get to experience this interactive and informative exhibit about the Okefenokee Swamp and our most popular resident, the American Alligator! This exhibit was recently awarded the TravelBlazers Award by the Georgia Chamber and Visitors Bureau.

Visit the Swamp Website – A beautifully designed website has been created featuring all of the Okefenokee Swamp visitor entrances and the wide variety of recreational opportunities. VisitTheSwamp.com