Smack in the middle of Georgia, there’s a 6,500-acre nature haven by the name of Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. It’s home to some of the state’s most precious wildlife, including bald eagles, wood storks, black bears, and alligators.

The value this preserve delivers to the state of Georgia can’t be understated. The wildlife that call this special place home enjoy diverse habitats such as mixed hardwood/pine ridges, bottomland hardwoods, swamp forests, and oxbow lakes.

Nestled between growing urban centers like Macon and Warner Robins, the area not only preserves important natural wonders but also provides recreational opportunities for the population. The Ocmulgee River, in particular, is an escape for paddlers, anglers, birders, and beyond. A network of walking and hiking trails draw in local adventurers as well.

Over the years, Trust for Public Land has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand Bond Swamp’s footprint, adding over 1,500 acres altogether. The unfragmented area represents one of the most significant concentrations of nature in all of Georgia, and its story of preservation has only just begun.