WASHINGTON, D.C. – JUNE 13TH, 2024 – The Okefenokee Coverage Alliance (OPA) has been named the 2024 Safe haven Recommend of the Yr by means of the Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Affiliation. This award acknowledges OPA’s bizarre accomplishments in protective the Okefenokee Nationwide Natural world Safe haven in Georgia from the specter of mining operations and their unwavering dedication to conservation.
The Safe haven Recommend of the Yr Award honors folks or teams that experience made vital contributions to the Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Device and recognizes impactful advocacy efforts protective refuges from exterior forces. The 2024 Natural world Safe haven Awards birthday party and rite will probably be hung on Wednesday, September 18th at 5:30 pm on the prestigious Mayflower Lodge in Washington, D.C. Media protection of this tournament is very inspired.
“Since its inception, the Okefenokee Coverage Alliance has been at the vanguard of efforts to safeguard the Okefenokee Nationwide Natural world Safe haven from the devastating affects of proposed mining operations,” mentioned Geoffrey L. Haskett, President of the Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Affiliation. “Their relentless advocacy, cutting edge public engagement methods, and collaboration with numerous stakeholders were instrumental in elevating consciousness and considerably difficult the mining danger.”
The Okefenokee Coverage Alliance used to be shaped in reaction to a proposed titanium dioxide sand mining operation by means of Dual Pines Minerals, which posed an important danger to the shelter’s hydrology and natural world habitats. OPA’s accomplishments come with:
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Advocacy & Public Reinforce: OPA has spearheaded efforts to rally public reinforce in opposition to the mining danger, leading to just about 100,000 public feedback submitted to the Georgia Environmental Coverage Department all the way through the preliminary remark duration. This remarkable degree of public engagement has raised vital consciousness concerning the mining danger.
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Leading edge Public Engagement: OPA produced the documentary “Sacred Waters: The Okefenokee in Peril,” which has been proven throughout Georgia and the Southeast, instructing the general public concerning the attainable affects of the proposed mining. The documentary has additionally been featured in nationwide and world movie gala’s, additional amplifying the message.
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Collaborative Efforts: OPA has effectively united over 40 conservation organizations, developing a formidable coalition that jointly advocates for the security of the Okefenokee. Their collaborative efforts have led to securing resolutions of reinforce from 14 towns and counties in Georgia, representing over 1.1 million citizens.
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Lowering The Danger: OPA’s continual advocacy and public drive have resulted in a considerable relief within the proposed mine’s footprint from 2,414 acres to 586 acres. Whilst the danger has now not been totally eradicated, the lowered footprint and heightened public scrutiny have considerably mitigated the prospective affect.
The Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Affiliation has been actively concerned with OPA from the onset of the mining danger. The Affiliation has labored along OPA to give protection to Okefenokee Nationwide Natural world Safe haven and stays dedicated to preventing the mining danger to verify the shelter’s conservation.
The Okefenokee Coverage Alliance exemplifies the facility of grassroots advocacy and collaboration. Their willpower to protective the Okefenokee is an inspiration to conservationists all over the place, and their good fortune demonstrates what may also be completed via continual and united efforts.
Sign up for us in celebrating the phenomenal achievements of the Okefenokee Coverage Alliance on the 2024 Natural world Safe haven Awards.
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The Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Affiliation is a non-profit group devoted to protective, selling, and adorning the 850-million-acre Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Device, the sector’s biggest community of lands and waters put aside for natural world conservation.
For all media inquiries and questions, please touch Eden Taylor, Communications Supervisor at [email protected].