A home for threatened and endangered species. North America’s largest blackwater swamp. One of the largest intact wetland ecosystems left on Earth. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge already boasts an impressive résumé. But soon, the southeast Georgia swamp could add a new title that places it firmly among the planet’s most iconic locations: World Heritage site. The blackwater rivers, rich in organic material, flow all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, quietly storing millions of tons of carbon dioxide in sponge-like peat. This mineral-rich feature, that keeps carbon dioxide away from Earth's atmosphere, faces threats from mining interests. The privately owned land near the swamp could prove lucrative for the economically-starved Charlton County. But, the environmental cost looms over the region. As conservationists push to protect the swamp while boosting tourism with UNESCO stamp of approval, the AJC's Drew Kann speaks with locals wrestling with their fears of losing control...