Number: 1999-02
WHEREAS, the Greater Okefenokee Ecosystem, situated in South Georgia and North Florida, includes the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, one of the great intact wetlands left on the planet, that serves as the headwaters for a richly diverse mosaic of uplands, riparian wetlands, and estuaries known as the Pinhook Swamp, Osceola National Forest, the Suwannee and St. Marys River basins, Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, and Cumberland Island National Seashore; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Okefenokee Ecosystem encompasses nearly 4 million acres of relatively undeveloped land and is home to more than 1,000 plant and animal species, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and wood stork; the threatened Florida black bear and indigo snake; and the rare parrot pitcherplant and gopher tortoise; and
WHEREAS, the still clean and free-flowing Suwannee and St. Marys Rivers provide critical support for local economies through sport fishing, canoeing, hunting, trapping, and wildlife observation and other resource-based opportunities as well as support for regionally vital saltwater fisheries; and
WHEREAS, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the 16th most visited of the more than 500 National Wildlife Refuges and one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the Southeast, attracting more than 400,000 people annually from around the world who contribute nearly $60 million to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, although much of the Greater Okefenokee Ecosystem is under federal or state ownership, the integrity of this unique system is threatened by inappropriate land use such as mining and unplanned development, on both privately and publicly owned land; and
WHEREAS, the wildlife corridor between the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Osceola National Forest, known as the Pinhook Swamp, is not yet completely in public ownership, but portions of which are immediately for sale; and
WHEREAS, provision of a better and sustainable place for wildlife to live in the Greater Okefenokee Ecosystem depends on long-term protection and management of the system as a whole, further development of compatible economies, and education that enhances and supports care and knowledge about this natural area and inspires everyday citizens to choose to actively participate in its conservation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in its Annual Meeting assembled March 18-21, 1999, in Houston, Texas, shall immediately urge the United States Congress to make appropriations for the acquisition of the Pinhook Swamp as part of the Osceola National Forest, specific protective buffer lands near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and certain natural areas throughout the Suwannee and St. Marys River corridors.