Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp Earns UNESCO World Heritage Designation

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia — one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems — was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, marking a first for Georgia and joining a list that includes Yosemite and the Taj Mahal. The designation highlights its ecological and cultural significance but does not prevent ongoing mining battles near the refuge. It could boost tourism and local jobs, though some residents worry about increased visitors and potential new restrictions.