Friends of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

06/07/2026

We had a great time at our annual Youth Fishing Derby held at the lake at Folkston Elementary School. It appeared that every kid caught at least a couple of fish but there were many with full stringers. Even some of the adults caught some good fish. Over 60 youth and around 80 total anglers registered caught 218 catfish, 69 bluegill and 3 bass. In addition to prizes for the winners, we also gave out dozens of raffle prizes and every youth participant was given a voucher for a free cold sweet treat from Chill Zone.

Huge shoutout and thank you to our event chairperson, Gracie Gooch.

Thank you to all of our partners and sponsors for helping us put on a top notch event. Our partners and sponsors for this event include:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
GA Rivers
Charlton County Sheriff’s Office
Charlton County Fire Department
City of Folkston
Stanley Branch Outfitters
Whistlin’ Dixie
Okefenokee Adventures
Chill Zone
Paisley Peach
Bill and Wendy Lee

Names of the winners are on the captions of the pics.

* **Most Fish Caught:** Awards were proudly given to our younger anglers, spanning age groups 3-6 years old, 7-11 years old, and 12-15 years old, celebrating their abundant catches.
* **Longest Fish Overall:** The coveted "Longest Fish" title recognized an outstanding catch, open to all 3-15 years old.
* **Longest Fish (16+ Years Old):** A special category was dedicated to our adult anglers, acknowledging the biggest catch among those aged 16 and above.

06/01/2026

It’s almost here. Time for our annual Youth and Family Fishing Derby. This Saturday, June 6 at the Folkston Elementary School lake. 🎣

**Free crickets for bait will be offered to the first 150 kids between ages 3 and 15 that register to fish.

**We also have a limited amount of worms, rod and reels, poles, and tackle for those that don’t have everything they need.

**No fishing license is required for adults at this derby because it is on a free fishing weekend as part of National Fishing and Boating Week.

05/11/2026

Ted Turner was known for many things…CNN and the 1995 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves are a couple, but he was also a champion of conservation and environmental stewardship.

In 1996, his foundation donated $30,000 to our organization to help us support a comprehensive and important study of the black bear population in and around the Okefenokee. Many of the insights we have about the black bears of Okefenokee came from that study. Thank you Ted and we extend our condolences to his family.

It is with deep respect that we share the passing of Ted Turner, founder of Ted Turner Reserves. He passed peacefully at the age of 87.

Ted believed in something simple and powerful:

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Because of that belief, bison roam, rivers run clear, and wild places like Vermejo, Armendaris, Ladder, and Sierra Grande continue to thrive.

I had the privilege of working alongside Ted and witnessing his commitment to the land and to future generations. What he built was remarkable. What he restored was even more important.

To those of you who have walked our trails, spent quiet time on these landscapes, or felt something shift while being here—you’ve experienced his legacy.

We will carry it forward with the same integrity, courage, and care that he inspired in all of us.

Ted, we will miss you pal.

With gratitude,
Jade

Jade McBride
President, Ted Turner Reserves

05/02/2026

American alligator in the Suwannee Canal in the Okefenokee Swamp.