What We Do
To help plants and wildlife, refuge staff uses a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Refuge staff carefully considers any management techniques and employs them in varying degrees according to the situation.
Water levels are carefully monitored and controlled to foster desired plant growth. Sometimes, sensitive areas are closed to the public so that the land can recover more quickly. Prescribed burning, mowing, experimental bio-control insect releases, and seeding are also some of the techniques used to help native plants recover on national wildlife refuges.
Standardized ground and aerial wildlife surveys and vegetation surveys are conducted on some refuges throughout the year to inventory populations and document habitat use. Units are evaluated by how well they met habitat and wildlife use objectives.
Public involvement and input are important to us and to the planning process, and we hope you will take an active interest in the process, individually and as a community.
Management and Conservation
Our Services
Apply for a Special Use Permit
Some commercial, recreational, or research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are compatible with the refuge’s Congressionally mandated wildlife conservation goals. Special use permits may limit the scope, timing and location of the activity, as determined by the refuge where the activity would take place.
Prospective permit holders may fill out the corresponding permit application, sign it, and return it to the refuge for processing. Please submit by email to okefenokee@fws.gov. The permit is not valid until approved and signed by a refuge official. Allow for 30 working days to process the permit.
All Special Use Permit applications can be found by clicking on this link.
Commercial Activities Special Use Permit Application
Commercial activities such as guiding groups or other outdoor users.
Research and Monitoring Special Use Permit Application
For research and monitoring activities by students, universities, or other non-FWS organizations.
General Activity Special Use Permit Application
Fishing tournaments, educational activities, other one-time events, filming, still photography, and audio recording (when required based on group size and potential impacts; contact site manager for details).
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement is critical to every aspect of wildlife conservation. The mission of the Law Enforcement program is to support the administration of the National Wildlife Refuge System through management and protection of natural, historical, and cultural resources, property, and people on lands and waters of our National Wildlife Refuges.