SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A U.S. agency said Friday it will nominate the vast, federally protected wildlife refuge in the Okefenokee Swamp for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Since the 1970s, the World Heritage list has recognized more than 1,100 natural and cultural sites worldwide for having “outstanding universal value” to all of humanity.
The most recent U.S. addition, a network of ancient Native American ceremonial and burial mounds in Ohio, was announced by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee on Tuesday.
The Okefenokee refuge covers more than 90% of the swamp and is the largest national wildlife refuge east of the Mississippi River.
Designation as a World Heritage site wouldn’t impose any added restrictions or regulations for the Okefenokee.
Ossoff said a World Heritage site designation would have both environmental and economic benefits for the Okefenokee and surrounding Georgia communities.
Conservationists sounded doubtful that the World Heritage site nomination would directly affect the decisions of Georgia regulators. »