The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced its final decision to expand the acquisition boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge by roughly 22,000 acres. At over 400,000-acres, the Okefenokee is the largest refuge east of the Mississippi, and home to thousands of species.
“With the threat of mining adjacent to this refuge imminent, the expansion comes not a moment too soon,” said Christian Hunt, Senior Policy Analyst with Defenders of Wildlife. “We applaud the Service for taking the first step toward a solution that forever protects the refuge and the wildlife that depends on it. Mining simply cannot occur next to a world-class treasure like the Okefenokee.”
The Department of the Interior recently announced its decision to nominate the refuge to the UNESCO World Heritage List. If designated, the refuge would join a list of 1,223 cultural and natural sites of universal importance.
For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.
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