The Okefenokee Swamp, one of Georgia’s most iconic and biodiverse natural wonders, is at a critical juncture in its protection. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed a minor expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge boundary, aiming to add approximately 22,000 acres adjacent to the existing refuge. This proposal is designed to enable voluntary conservation actions to protect the swamp’s hydrological integrity, conserve wetlands and key wildlife habitats, and create a fuel reduction zone to help protect neighboring properties.

On August 31, 2024, Encounter GA led an Advocacy Workshop at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Atlanta, GA as a part of the Focloare Maripolois retreat. This gathering brought together members of the Focolare Movement, a global community dedicated to fostering unity and dialogue. The event reflected the heart of Encounter Georgia’s mission: empowering communities to advocate for justice, care for creation, and the common good.

On September 14, 2024, St. Thomas More Parish in Decatur, GA, hosted the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s annual Green Mass. This inspiring event brought together people of faith from across the community to celebrate our shared call to care for creation. Rooted in the teachings of Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’, the Green Mass serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect “our common home” and respond to the urgent cries of both the earth and the poor.