Wilderness Recreation Problems and Solutions Project
Okefenokee NWR
Recreation Impact Type:
Wildlife Harassment
Management Objectives:
Wildlife safety and keeping their presence within viewing distance for visitors.
Strategies
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1936 to preserve the 438,000
acre Okefenokee Swamp. Presently, the refuge encompasses approximately 402,000 acres. In
1974, to further ensure the protection of this unique ecosystem, the interior 353,981 acres of the
refuge was designated a National Wilderness Area.
The swamp remains one of the oldest and most well preserved freshwater areas in America and
extends 38 miles north to south and 25 miles east to west.
Action 1 (A1 below): Designated campsites (platforms) within the swamp that are scenic but not
necessarily in high wildlife use areas.
Rationale: By restricting camping to platforms, there is less harassment because campers can
not choose a site under a rookery or near feeding concentrations or by a nest of an alligator,
etc.
Action 2 (A2 below): Prohibit off-trail travel
Rationale: Reduce wildlife harassment and give more observation opportunities to visitors. Most
likely, wildlife will maintain a comfortable distance from the trails. Observers can still view them
without disturbing them.
Action 3 (A3 below): Segregate users by restricting trail use beyond a certain point to canoeonly, overnight users. Overnight users must be in a canoe the whole way.
Rationale: To emphasize solitude first, but to also reduce large numbers of people along the trail
that may disturb the wildlife.
Action 4 (A4 below): Restrict travel within the swamp to canoes and motors 10hp or less.
Rationale: Lessens disturbances related to high speed boats and wakes. These are quieter
modes of transportation causing fewer disturbances.
Action 5 (A5 below): Overnight platforms limited to one party of up to 20 people. Generally, 2-5
people go on overnight trips.
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Rationale: These restrictions prevent large concentrations of people in the interior sections of
the wilderness area, preventing harassment, emphasizing solitude and giving greater
opportunities for wildlife observations.
Action 6 (A6 below): Prohibit pets within the wilderness area.
Rationale: Safer for pets (since alligators have been known to be attracted to dogs in or near the
water) AND barking dogs could harass wildlife.
Implementation Details
1) How well did the actions work to accomplish management objectives?
A1 – This worked well because building the platforms made it impossible to choose a site under
a rookery or elsewhere where it would be detrimental to birds. This has been the long term
standard (since 60s), and people are used to it working this way. During the CCP process
(year?) there were some public who wanted unconfined recreation, but generally it would be
hard to find solid ground to camp on without platforms; A2- Same as above, but there are day
use areas that take visitors into areas in the interior of the swamp. Old boat trails are wellestablished and have been part of the refuge since it was purchased in 1936. Per the
Wilderness Act of 1973, these historical trails cannot change locations or have new ones added;
A4- Wilderness Act specified these speed limits with an emphasis on unmotorized travel; A5Size of platform limits number of people who can stay.
2) How did you evaluate the action? Platforms are in constant use in season and booked two
months in advance.
3) What aspects of implementation worked to help attain the desired condition?
A1- People can only stay one night before moving. This gets them moving along the trail
by 10a.m. to next platform. A6) Pets get eaten right at the initial boat launch!
A2 – If people go off trails they generally get lost; A4- Law enforcement (1 fulltime, 2
collateral) plus everyone keeps an eye out; two main entrances staffed and two other
locations that are unstaffed; public keeps a watch for bigger boats as well (i.e. the
Refuge’s boats!)
4) What were the difficulties of implementation?
A1- none that we know of; A2- w/GPS available, the refuge fears people may go crosscountry; however, this is very difficult to do.
6) What was the public acceptance?
The public has appreciated and opportunity to be in the refuge, and spend the night.
They would not be able to do it without the platforms.
7) Were there any unexpected effects?
Yes, vulchers roost on/near one platform and harass the humans!
8) What would you do differently next time; lessons learned; tips?
A1- It is important to consider location of platforms over the long-run because they are
not movable.
9) What are the estimated or actual costs and staff time to plan and implement?
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Reservation system, constant maintenance, pump composting toilets twice a year and
solids every 2 years; 2- trail maintenance expensive (cutter); LE officers – 1 FTE and 2
collateral.
Location and Contact Information:
George Constantino, Refuge manager
(901) 496-7366
Sara Aicher, Refuge biologist
(912) 496-7366 Ext. 236
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