The People STILL say NO to UNESCO – By Leslie Kulwik

By Editor | October 29, 2025 |

The Annex Building in Folkston was filled to capacity on October 24, 2025, as concerned citizens gathered to voice their opinions during a meeting led by Michael Lusk, manager of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The meeting centered around the recent visit of scientists from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), part of the process for consideration of the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Residents from Charlton, Nassau, Brantley, Pierce, and McIntosh counties, among others, attended after word spread that IUCN scientists were in the area and holding a meeting that had initially been shared with only a select few. Once the broader community learned of the visit, many arrived hoping to participate and express their concerns.
For nearly two hours, attendees took part in a question-and-answer session. The majority of speakers voiced opposition to the World Heritage Site designation, citing fears over foreign influence, potential impacts on private property, and a lack of transparency in the process.
About thirteen individuals spoke, including State Representative John Corbett, County Commissioner Drew Jones (District 4), and Matt Day, candidate for State Representative of the 1st Congressional District.
Commissioner Jones delivered an impassioned speech, that drew a standing ovation from the crowd, quoting former President Ronald Reagan’s criticism of UNESCO and expressing distrust toward international involvement in local land management.
“We don’t need to ask the European Union what we can and can’t do on our land,” Jones said. “The County Commission, which I am a part of, was told that if the public does not want it — it will not occur. There’s not been any transparency throughout this whole process. People want to be heard. This is America. These people are not accountable to the American public.”
Jones also noted that he had spoken with environmental attorneys and officials regarding the matter and expressed frustration about a lack of communication and public inclusion in recent meetings. According to Jones, Michael Lusk later apologized for not publicizing the meeting more widely.
Lusk explained that the IUCN scientists’ visit was solely to gather data and that their findings and the public’s concerns would be included in a report submitted to UNESCO. He stated that meeting notes would be made available once finalized.
The Okefenokee Refuge was first placed on a tentative list for possible World Heritage Site nomination in 2008 and was officially authorized to pursue nomination in 2023, when Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Shannon Estenoz, submitted the formal application.
If the application were to be withdrawn, it would require formal action by the U.S. Department of the Interior, in coordination with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to notify the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The State of Georgia itself does not have authority to rescind the nomination but may advocate for its withdrawal.
In response to ongoing public interest and his love for the Okefenokee Swamp, Matt Day plans to host a Fish Fry on November 8 at Blackwater Vineyard from 3pm-6pm as an open forum for citizens to continue discussing the issue. Day also stated that a documentary team will be present to film the event and interview attendees who wish to share their views. On Sunday, Day plans to film at the Swamp and on Monday he will be going to businesses. If you’d like to voice your concerns about UNESCO and the Wildlife Refuge becoming a World Heritage site, please email Matt at Matt@votemattday.com. He is inviting all congressional candidates to either come to Charlton County, make a statement or send a video in for this documentary called- “We The People – Saving the Okefenokee”

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