Louisiana

1
Louisiana

• State Symbols

2
Background Information

• Louisianas State Symbols are determined by the
  Louisiana State Legislature on suggestions by the
  public.
• Often endangered species are established as state
  symbols in an effort to gain public support for
  their protection.

3
What Binds Our State?

• The motto for our state is Union, Justice, and
  Confidence
• These words appear on our state flag.

The flag also includes our state colors Blue,
white, and gold.
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A word by any other name

• Louisiana official nickname is the
• Pelican State
• Unofficially, we are also known as the
• Bayou State and the Sportsmans Paradise

5
Louisiana Wildlife

• Louisiana is represented by a variety of animals
  including
• Freshwater fish- white perch
• Insect- honeybee
• Crustacean- crawfish

6
The State Dog

• The Catahoula Leopard Dog (or Catahoula Cur) is
  the only breed of dog native to Louisiana.
• Originally this dog was a cross breed between an
  domestic dog of Native Americans and a Spanish
  war dog.
• The Catahoula Cur is a friendly animal, and
  exhibits interesting features such as blue eyes,
  webbed feet, and a spotted coat.
• It is often used in south Louisiana for hunting,
  tracking, and herding cattle.

7
The State Reptile

• The American Alligator almost became extinct
  during the early 1900s as a result of
  over-hunting.
• Now, because it is protected by both the state
  and federal governments, the alligator thrives in
  the swamps and marshes of the state.

8
The State Bird

• The Eastern Brown Pelican was designated as the
  state bird in 1954.
• By 1963, the bird had disappeared completely from
  the state due to insecticides ingested through
  the fish the birds ate which caused them to lay
  eggs with thin shells.
• Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay hosts a
  successful breeding and nesting program to ensure
  the bird does not remain an endangered species.

9
The State Mammal

• The Black Bear makes its home in the forests of
  northern Louisiana and in the Atchafalaya Basin
  floodplain.
• The bear is also considered a threatened animal
  since 1992 due to poachers who hunt the bears for
  their gall bladders.

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Important Louisiana Plant life

• The state flower of Louisiana is the
• Magnolia
• The magnolia was designated as the state flower
  in 1900 due to its abundance throughout the
  state.
• The state wildflower of Louisiana is the Wild
  Iris.

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The State Tree

• The Bald Cypress was designated as our state tree
  in 1963.
• It grows in many areas of the state, particularly
  in freshwater swamps.
• The shape of the tree is greatly affected by the
  amount and duration of flooding in an area.
• The knees or roots of the cypress are one of
  the most notable features.

12
Get Seven Servings

• The 7 state fruits rotate every two years (which
  is the term of office for a state legislator).
  These are
• -watermelon -fig
• -canteloupe -tomato
• -strawberry -orange
• -peach

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To Wash it Down

• Many are surprised to know that the state drink
  of Louisiana is

Milk
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Animal, Vegetable, Mineral

• Agate is the state gemstone of Louisiana.
• The state fossil is Petrified Palmwood.

15
The Music

• Louisiana is represented by several state songs
• Give Me Louisiana by Doralice Fontane
• Song of Louisiana by Vashti Robertson Stopher
• You Are My Sunshine by Governor Jimmie Davis
• The state march song of Louisiana is Louisiana
  My Home Sweet Home by Sammie McKenzie, Lou
  Levoy, and Castro Carazo