Georgia Rivers

Georgia Rivers teamed up with Nantahala Outdoor Center Saturday to give Georgia legislators a chance to experience the "Metro Chattahoochee" within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, perhaps the most floated stretch of river in all of Georgia. Rep. Arlene Beckles, Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver and Sen. Jaha Howard joined us with family and friends for a memorable trip from Powers Island to Paces Mill.

Come paddle Georgia's first World Heritage Site with Georgia Rivers!

We handle it all for you -- campsite logistics, meals, paddle routes -- so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful environment around you. All you have to do is register, then show up with your kayak or canoe and a ready-to-explore attitude.

“No one will protect what they don't care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” -- David Attenborough

Learn more about these two trips on our website and register to secure your spot. These trips usually sell out!

https://garivers.org/paddle-georgia/paddle-georgia-okefenokee-suwannee-adventure/

“Okefenokee’s World Heritage designation is Georgia’s world class ticket to becoming a major outdoor recreation hub," said Rena Ann Peck, "The title invites visitors from across the globe to come explore the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail and water trails across the state —from Appalachia to the coast.”

Georgia Rivers Executive Director Rena Ann Peck was in the room in Busan, South Korea with other swamp supporters when the historic vote took place.

Watch footage from AJC here:

The moment the Okefenokee became Georgia's first World Heritage Site The AJC's Drew Kann was in the room when officials voted to make the Okefenokee Swamp Georgia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Credits: AJC | Getty Images

Advocates for the Okefenokee World Heritage site designation believe the swamp’s new status as one of the planet’s premier wildlife destinations can bring new visitors and tourism dollars to Georgia.

Pictured: The group of swamp supporters that were present Saturday, July 25, 2026, to witness the vote by the World Heritage Committee at its 48th annual session in Busan, South Korea.

Front row from left are Tracie Revis, Kim Bednarek and Cyril Kormos. The back row from left are Joe Montgomery, Marise Nazzaro (holding camera), Rena Ann Peck, Claire LaBrunerie and Haile McCollum. (Hwawon Ceci Lee for the AJC)

Read the AJC article: https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/07/the-okefenokee-is-now-a-world-heritage-site-now-comes-the-hard-part/

Some 35 people joined Georgia Rivers for our Chattooga River Folk Art Adventure on Northwest Georgia's Chattooga River this Saturday. After the rainy paddle, we ventured up to Summerville to visit Howard Finster's Paradise Garden. We enjoyed a wonderful river and an inspirational folk art garden. Georgia Rivers paddle trips are more than just paddle trips! Learn more and register for an upcoming event at www.garivers.org/events

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was just named the 27th World Heritage site in the United States -- the first natural site in the US to be added in three decades. It’s the state of Georgia’s first World Heritage site.

The UNESCO World Heritage list includes both cultural sites like Independence Hall and the Statue of Liberty and natural sites like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and the Great Barrier Reef.

Those are unique landscapes, said Georgia Rivers executive director Rena Ann Peck, and so is the Okefenokee.

“It is the largest, most naturally functioning blackwater wetland in these parts. So, it is globally recognized as a place like no other.”

Read more:

BREAKING: Okefenokee becomes Georgia's first UNESCO World Heritage site The Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, just the 27th such site in the U.S. and the first natural site in the country to be added in three decades. It’s Georgia’s first World Heritage site.

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is now a UNESCO World Heritage site! We can't wait to paddle the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail this fall 🐊

Join an Okefenokee Paddle Trip: https://garivers.org/paddle-georgia/paddle-georgia-okefenokee-suwannee-adventure/

Read more on AJC: https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/07/georgias-okefenokee-swamp-is-now-a-unesco-world-heritage-site/

Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp is now a UNESCO World Heritage site The Okefenokee is the first natural site in the U.S. to be added to the World Heritage List in more than 30 years.

After 44 years, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has been inscribed as the 27th World Heritage Site in the United States! 💫

✅ the very first ever managed by the National Wildlife Refuge System
✅ the first in the state of Georgia
✅ the second in Florida

It is the first natural site added to the U.S. list in more than 30 years.

This is an incredible moment, only made possible because of you believing it was possible. To our partners, our investors, our community, and the incredible staff who steward this refuge every day, thank you for walking this 44-year journey with us.

The Okefenokee is home to 1200+ unique species of plants and animals, and the largest remaining undisturbed peat deposit on the North American Coastal Plain. It is truly a place unlike anywhere else on Earth, and is now recognized as one of the world's most treasured landscapes.

We cannot wait to welcome you here. Come experience the wonder of the Okefenokee for yourself. 🌿🐊🛶

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is now Georgia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site!

The World Heritage Committee recognized the Okefenokee for its ecological processes, biodiversity, and status as one of the world's largest and most intact subtropical freshwater peatland ecosystems.

This designation will boost outdoor recreation tourism in the entire state of Georgia, drawing people from around the globe. While they are exploring the swamp, they will also discover the state’s other wonders – from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Barrier Islands.

“The Okefenokee has always been one of Georgia's seven natural wonders; now it's recognized as a globally-significant wonder! It's been a long journey, and hopefully this World Heritage Site designation will bring more people to the swamp,” said Georga Rivers Executive Director Rena Ann Peck, “Once you've experienced the swamp you can't help but be in awe. The result is more swamp lovers and advocates. We can’t wait for people across the globe to come paddle with us on the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail!”

Pictured: Rena joined Okefenokee Swamp Park, Muscogee Nation representative Tracie Revis, scientist Sara Aicher, and other swamp supporters in South Korea for the 48th World Heritage Convention in South Korea to witness this historic moment.

Pictured: Rena Ann Peck and Tracie Revis with the Chair of 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, Lee Byong Hyun, in South Korea.