List of National Natural Landmarks in Georgia facts for kids

As of 2023, there are eleven National Natural Landmarks in the U.S. state of Georgia. These are special places recognized for their unique natural features, like rare forests, amazing swamps, or cool rock formations. They help us learn about and protect America's natural history.

What Are National Natural Landmarks?

National Natural Landmarks (NNLs) are important natural areas in the United States. They are chosen because they show the best examples of America's natural heritage. Think of them as natural treasures! These places can be forests, swamps, mountains, or other unique landscapes.

Why Are They Important?

NNLs are important for many reasons. They help us understand how our planet works and how it has changed over time. They also protect special plants and animals that live there. By recognizing these places, we can make sure they are preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

Exploring Georgia's Natural Landmarks

Georgia has eleven amazing National Natural Landmarks. Each one is unique and offers a glimpse into the state's diverse natural beauty.

Big Hammock Natural Area

This landmark was recognized in 1976. It's located in Tattnall County and is owned by the state of Georgia. The Big Hammock Natural Area is a forest that hasn't been disturbed much by people. It's filled with broadleaf evergreen trees, which means their leaves stay green all year round.

Camp E.F. Boyd Natural Area

Designated in 1974, this area is in Emanuel County and is privately owned. Camp E.F. Boyd Natural Area is a great example of an "upland sand ridge ecosystem" found in Georgia's Coastal Plain. This means it's a sandy, higher area near the coast with unique plants and animals.

Cason J. Calloway Memorial Forest

This forest became a landmark in 1972. It's located in Harris County and is privately owned. The Cason J. Calloway Memorial Forest is special because it shows a mix of two different forest types. It's where eastern deciduous forests (trees that lose their leaves in fall) meet southern coniferous forests (trees like pines that stay green).

Ebenezer Creek Swamp

Recognized in 1976, this swamp is in Effingham County and is privately owned. The Ebenezer Creek Swamp is considered the best remaining cypress-gum swamp forest in the Savannah River basin. Cypress and gum trees are known for growing in wet, swampy areas.

Heggie's Rock

Heggie's Rock was named a landmark in 1980. It's in Columbia County and is owned by both the county and a private group called The Nature Conservancy. This place is famous for its unique plants that only grow on granite outcrops, which are large, exposed rocks. It's one of the best examples of this type of plant life in eastern North America.

Lewis Island Tract

This tract became a landmark in 1974. It's located in McIntosh County and is owned by the state of Georgia. The Lewis Island Tract is one of the largest "bottomland hardwood swamps" in Georgia. This means it's a swampy forest found in low-lying areas near rivers, filled with hardwood trees.

Marshall Forest

Marshall Forest was one of the first landmarks in Georgia, designated in 1966. It's in Floyd County and is privately owned. This forest is mainly made up of loblolly pine and shortleaf pine trees. It's believed to have grown after a big fire around the time the Cherokee Indians were moved from the area.

Okefenokee Swamp

Recognized in 1974, the Okefenokee Swamp spans across Charlton, Clinch, and Ware counties. It's owned by the federal government and is part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the biggest and most untouched swamps in the entire country, full of amazing wildlife.

Panola Mountain

Panola Mountain became a landmark in 1980. It's in Rockdale County and is owned by the state of Georgia. This mountain is a "monadnock," which means it's a single, isolated hill or mountain made of rock that stands out from the surrounding flat land. Panola Mountain is special because it's a very natural and undisturbed example of exposed granite rock in the Piedmont region.

Wassaw Island

Wassaw Island was designated a landmark in 1967. It's in Chatham County and is owned by the federal government, part of the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. This island is unique because it's the only barrier island in Georgia that still has its original, undisturbed forest cover.

Wade Tract Preserve

The newest landmark in Georgia, the Wade Tract Preserve, was recognized in 2014. It's in Thomas County and is privately owned. This preserve is an "old growth longleaf pine savanna." This means it's a very old forest of longleaf pine trees with an open, grassy understory, like a savanna.

Images for kids

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  Heggie's Rock, a unique granite outcrop.

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  Marshall Forest, an old pine forest.

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  A view inside the vast Okefenokee Swamp.

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  Panola Mountain, an undisturbed granite monadnock.

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  Wassaw Island, with its untouched forest.