Okefenokee is the largest blackwater swamp (about 440,000 acres) in North America and one of the largest intact freshwater ecosystems in the world. Its peat beds, island prairies, open lakes, creek channels, and cypress forests create an ideal sanctuary for wildlife. Wading birds, songbirds, amphibians, turtles, and black bears all make their home in Okefenokee, along with a healthy population of American alligators. Every year, 600,000 visitors flock to the Okefenokee Swamp, which was designated as a 
Following summer 2025’s monumental land deal securing the Twin Pines property for conservation (swipe right to read more), the 2026 Georgia Legislative Session brought exciting news. The Legislature approved funding for Georgia DNR to purchase 3,900 acres (approximately half) of the Twin Pines property from The Conservation Fund. The property will now become a State Wildlife Management Area, fully accessible to the public.
Funding for this purchase was approved through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program, an important grant program that supports parks and trails and protects and acquires lands critical to wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation across the state.
One Hundred Miles is proud to have played an instrumental role in the advocacy efforts to prevent the Twin Pines project from becoming reality. We worked behind the scenes along with others—donors, corporations, private land conservation NGOs, and government officials and legislators—to secure public and private funding for this conservation acquisition. We’re thankful for the work of the Georgia DNR, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, and the Speaker of the House in securing this critical funding.
It’s as important to acknowledge our legislators with gratitude and celebration as it is to contact them when bad bills are on the line. So we hope you’ll join us in thanking Georgia DNR, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, and the Speaker of the House for approving this critical funding.
Here you see
