Defenders Celebrates Land Acquisition Deal Protecting Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from Threat of Mining

Defenders of Wildlife celebrates The Conservation Fund’s acquisition of the properties owned by Twin Pines Minerals, LLC, a company seeking to mine adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the largest refuge east of the Mississippi River.

“It’s an emotional day for all those that love the Refuge. Had Twin Pines broken ground, the Okefenokee as we know it would have been lost,” said Christian Hunt, National Wildlife Refuges and Parks program director at Defenders of Wildlife. “You simply could not find a worse place to mine than on the doorstep of such a treasured natural resource. We applaud The Conservation Fund and private donors for stepping up in the Refuge’s time of need."

Scientists had warned that mining operations proposed by Twin Pines on the Trail Ridge — a sliver of land that borders and sustains the Okefenokee — would lower the water table of the Swamp, increase the prevalence of catastrophic fires and diminish habitat for imperiled species. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), several former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service directors, numerous counties and roughly 250,000 people have submitted comments in opposition to the project.  

“Today’s acquisition is a critical first step, but more is needed to prevent future mining attempts with thousands of acres still vulnerable,” added Hunt. “We look forward to crafting a long-term solution with decision-makers and landowners that permanently secures the Okefenokee and the wildlife that depends on it.”

Defenders of Wildlife celebrates today’s news as a founding member of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, a coalition of over 50 organizations devoted to the protection of the Refuge. For its efforts, the Okefenokee Protection Alliance was designated by the National Wildlife Refuge Association as the 2024 Refuge Advocate of the Year.

Renowned for its amphibian diversity, the Refuge is poised to become the first World Heritage Site in the National Wildlife Refuge System, joining the ranks of the Great Smoky Mountains and Redwood National Parks in recognition of its value to wildlife and exceptional habitats.  

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