Thanks to Kim Bednarek, Executive Director of the Okefenokee Swamp Park, we now know the answer to what puzzled the Clinch County Commission when they reserved $50,000 for cash match for a Dark Sky Observatory: where will it be?
![[Dark Sky Observatory, Cultural and Natural History around the Okefenokee Swamp]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/many.jpg)
Dark Sky Observatory, Cultural and Natural History around the Okefenokee Swamp
The answer is: to the left of Eco Lodge Drive, as you approach the Suwannee River Eco-Lodge, north of Fargo on US 441.
![[Left of Eco-Lodge --Google Streetview]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/2023-11-03--left-of-eco-lodge-google-streetview.jpg)
Left of Eco-Lodge —Google Streetview
Thanks to Superior Pine Products for agreeing to separate out 20 acres there.
I don’t know exactly which 20 acres, but I’d guess in the planted pine uplands rather than in the wetlands of the un-named (so far as I know) creek that runs across Williamsburg Road just north of the Eco-Lodge tract.
![[Map: Superior Pine Products next to Suwannee River Eco-Lodge]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/2023-11-03--map-superior-pine-products-eco-lodge.jpg)
Map: Superior Pine Products next to Suwannee River Eco-Lodge, Clinch County Tax Assessors
The Dark Sky Observatory is part of three projects in The Okefenokee Experience, which is a collaboration of Okefenokee Swamp Park and other organizations, including the three Georgia counties around the Okefenokee Swamp.
![[The Okefenokee Experience]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0015.jpg)
In collaboration with the Okefenokee Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), the Experience will inspire student-centric immersive learning and STEM education programs for K-12 students in the southeast and beyond. To realize all the benefits of the World Heritage nomination, we must also develop a robust and inclusive natural resources economy in the Okefenokee. Regionally driven and inclusive conservation is the foundation upon which we can build the capacity of local economies and increase community wealth, prosperity, and health.
- Cultural History & Natural History & Community Center in Charlton County
Charlton County Administrator Hampton Raulerson tells me that one will be in Folkston, near the county offices. -
Natural History & Ecological Interpretive Center In Ware County
Kim Bednarek says that one will be on the current grounds of Okefenokee Swamp Park, which is on GA 177 off of US 23 and US 1, southeast of Waycross. -
Dark Sky Observatory in Clinch County
As above, north of Fargo on US 441, left of Eco Lodge Drive, thanks to Superior Pine Products.
If I understood Kim correctly, she may even have found somebody with deep enough pockets to resurrect the bat-infested Suwannee River Visitor Center at Fargo Ramp on the Suwannee River. That will be a sight if it happens.
I thank Kim Bednarek for providing a zoom session about all this, with me and St. Marys Riverkeeper Emily Floore. Kim’s slides are below.
More later on the UNESCO World Heritage Site bid.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
Slides
![[The OSP —A Public Private Partnership]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0001.jpg)
The OSP —A Public Private Partnership
PDF
![[For 77 years, the Okefenokee Swamp Park (OSP), Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in partnership with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the state of Georgia, has provided....]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0002.jpg)
For 77 years, the Okefenokee Swamp Park (OSP), Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit
PDF
![[Public-private partnerships can improve infrastructure, create job opportunities and transform communities with better funded social, health, economic, and environmental programs and services.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0003.jpg)
Public-private partnerships can improve infrastructure, create job opportunities and transform communities with better funded social, health, economic, and environmental programs and services.
PDF
![[Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0004.jpg)
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
PDF
![[The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 as a 'refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife'.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0005.jpg)
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 as a ‘refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife’.
PDF
![[Map: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0006.jpg)
Map: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
PDF
![[The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has nearly 120-miles of water trails that visitors can explore.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0007.jpg)
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has nearly 120-miles of water trails that visitors can explore.
PDF
![[Annual Okefenokee region recreation & education expenditures exceed S$50M, providing 826 jobs (USFWS Banking on Nature)]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0008.jpg)
Annual Okefenokee region recreation & education expenditures exceed S$50M, providing 826 jobs (USFWS Banking on Nature)
PDF
![[The Challenge ...the swamp is facing a number of stark environmental threats. The communities around the swamp are facing equally difficult circumstances, with local residents seeking assistance to build meaningful lives in spite of persistent economic uncertainty in rural South Georgia.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0009.jpg)
The Challenge …the swamp is facing a number of stark environmental threats. The communities around the swamp are facing equally difficult circumstances, with local residents seeking assistance to build meaningful lives in spite of persistent economic uncertainty in rural South Georgia.
PDF
![[The Opportunity — A Public Private Partnership]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0010.jpg)
The Opportunity — A Public Private Partnership
PDF
![[The Vision OSP ...an interdependent economic development model ... working collaboratively through the prism of one of the world’s great natural resources. We believe it is vital to recognize that the sustainability of Okefenokee is only as great as the strength and resilience of the local communities and stakeholders that surround it.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0011.jpg)
The Vision OSP …an interdependent economic development model … working collaboratively through the prism of one of the world’s great natural resources. We believe it is vital to recognize that the sustainability of Okefenokee is only as great as the strength and resilience of the local communities and stakeholders that surround it.
PDF
![[Why the Okefenokee Matters]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0012.jpg)
Why the Okefenokee Matters
PDF
![[The Okefenokee UNESCO Bid]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0013.jpg)
![[Education Inspires Advocacy]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0014.jpg)
![[The Okefenokee Experience]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0015.jpg)
![[We Believe]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-10-19--okefenokee-world-heritage-site-bid/small/The-Okefenokee-Experience-0016.jpg)
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
Short Link: