Memorial Satilla Health recently presented a check for $11,500 to Okefenokee Swamp Park (OSP) through the Memorial Satilla Health Community Benefit Fund, reinforcing the hospital’s ongoing commitment to education, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality in the region.
The funds will help Okefenokee Swamp Park continue its educational programming, support capital improvements throughout the park, and strengthen tourism efforts. The donation also supports the park’s continued work toward achieving UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, positioning the Okefenokee alongside iconic natural landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park.
“At Memorial Satilla Health, we believe investing in our community goes beyond the walls of our hospital,” said Damon Barrett, MSH Chief Executive Officer. “Supporting the Okefenokee Swamp Park helps preserve an incredible natural resource, strengthens educational opportunities, and promotes tourism that benefits our local economy. We’re proud to partner with an organization that plays such an important role in our region’s history, environment, and future.”
OSP is a vital educational and cultural resource for South Georgia, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most extraordinary wetland ecosystems while learning about its history, wildlife, and environmental importance.
The non-profit organization operates under a long-term lease and is not supported by federal or state funds.
Located mostly in Dixon Memorial State Forest south of Waycross, the park is known for its lily-decked water trails, with reflective waters mirroring overhanging beauty that leads visitors to all points within this vast wilderness of islands, lakes, jungles, forests, and prairies. The nearly halfmillion- acre swamp carries visitors back into the world’s prehistory.
