Executive Director of Okefenokee Swamp Park to receive the Argon Award of Excellence in Sustainability October 15 at the Georgia Aquarium
Southface Institute will present its 2026 Argon Award of Excellence in Sustainability to Kim Bednarek, Executive Director of Okefenokee Swamp Park, at the organization’s annual Visionary Awards luncheon on October 15, 2026, at the Georgia Aquarium.
The recognition comes weeks after the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was formally inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a designation more than four decades in the making, and one that Bednarek helped drive to the finish line. The refuge is now Georgia’s 1st UNESCO World Heritage Site, Florida’s 2nd World Heritage Site, and the first U.S. National Wildlife Refuge to receive the designation, joining a list that includes the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Bednarek led the effort behind the nearly 300-page nomination packet, working alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a coalition of conservation partners to secure the listing, which the World Heritage Committee approved this past July in Busan, South Korea.
“Georgia’s sustainability story tends to be one of its best-kept secrets. As a partner in the mission to care for our environment, Southface is thrilled to see the Okefenokee recognized on the global stage. Kim’s leadership in achieving this designation is a powerful example of the kind of vision and impact the Argon Award celebrates,” said Nathan Bessette, Executive Director of Southface Institute.
“We accept this inscription not as a finish line, but as a commitment to keep the Okefenokee wild, resilient, and thriving for generations to come,” Bednarek said in accepting the honor.
Visionary Awards is Southface’s signature fundraising event, bringing together business leaders, sustainability innovators, and advocates to celebrate bold progress on sustainability while raising critical funds for the organization’s mission. The Argon Award is presented annually to an individual or organization who has achieved significant impact in advancing sustainability. Last year’s recipient was Ambassador Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor and UN Ambassador.
Event Details, Tickets, and Sponsorships – Visionary Awards 2026 – October 15, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
About Kim Bednarek and Okefenokee Swamp Park Kim Bednarek is Executive Director of Okefenokee Swamp Park, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with the Okefenokee through stewardship, education, and outdoor recreation. Under her leadership, the organization has advanced conservation, education, and sustainable economic development across the region while helping elevate the Okefenokee’s significance on the global stage.
Learn more about Kim and her work with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge World Heritage Site here.
