The federal government plans to make the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge bigger. This change could better protect one of America’s largest swamps and affect jobs in southeast Georgia. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to add 22,000 acres of land around the current refuge. This means they can now talk to nearby landowners about buying their property or working together to protect it. The extra land would create a one-mile safety zone around the swamp. This expansion matters for several reasons. First, it helps protect the many animals that live there, including 15,000 alligators and rare woodpeckers. Second, it brings … Continue reading Okefenokee Refuge Expands by 22,000 Acres Amid Mining Debate