World Heritage Identification Number: 1751
World Heritage since: 2026
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇺🇸 United States of America
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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A Glimpse into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: A Biodiverse Peatland Haven
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, nestled in the southeastern corner of Georgia and northeastern Florida, stands as a testament to the intricate balance between nature's elements. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2026, this expansive 402,000-acre (1,627 km²) sanctuary serves as a vital protector of the Okefenokee Swamp, the world's largest lowland freshwater peatland within the subtropical zone.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The property, located in southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida, protects the Okefenokee Swamp, the largest lowland freshwater peatland in the subtropical zone worldwide and one of the largest and most intact ecosystems within the North American Coastal Plain global biodiversity hotspot. The property comprises a diverse mosaic of wetlands, savannas, and forests shaped by the ongoing interaction of water, fire, vegetation, and wildlife, with alternating fire and rainfall processes driving peat formation, vegetation structure, and biodiversity. The site also contains significant areas of endangered Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) savanna, of which less than 3% remains, supporting high concentrations of plant species endemic to the region. Its extensive peat deposits provide an important archive of palaeo-environmental history and critical carbon storage. The property supports exceptional biodiversity, including at least 856 plant species, 48 mammal species, 238 bird species, 39 fish species, and 90 reptile and amphibian species, and provides important habitat for migratory birds, threatened species, and a significant population of American alligators.Encyclopedia Record: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a 402,000‑acre (1,627 km2) National Wildlife Refuge located in Charlton, Ware, and Clinch Counties of Georgia, and Baker County in Florida, United States. The refuge is administered from offices in Folkston, Georgia. The refuge was established in 1937 to protect a majority of the 438,000 acres (1,770 km2) in the Okefenokee Swamp. The name "Okefenokee", often translated as "land of trembling earth", is likely derived from Hitchiti oki fanôːki.Additional Site Details
Area: 164,565.5 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 30.798889 , -82.305
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US Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
