CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism have dubbed 2026 the “Year of Outdoors,” a campaign to promote Louisiana’s natural beauty.
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“Louisiana has earned the title ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’ because nowhere else offers our unmatched variety of outdoor experiences,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “From more than 7,000 miles of coastline to 21 state parks and countless waterways, forests, and wildlife habitats, our outdoors are as diverse as they are unforgettable. ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’ isn’t just a slogan – it’s a promise we deliver on every day.”
According to a press release, the campaign will feature several outdoor activities, including agritourism, biking, birding, camping and RVing, festivals, fishing, hiking, outdoor dining, paddling, swamp tours, walking tours, and ziplining.
“In Louisiana, the outdoors aren’t just something you see – they’re something you feel,” Nungesser said. “Cast a line at sunrise, watch bald eagles soar above cypress swamps, stroll an outdoor art garden, or pick fresh fruit from a family orchard. However you choose to explore, the ‘Year of Outdoors’ invites you to slow down, reconnect, and Feed Your Soul right here in Louisiana.”
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The newly renovated Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center offers plenty of outdoor activities for people of all ages. It features five miles of outdoor hiking trails and live-animal exhibits, including a birds-of-prey aviary.
“Louisiana’s natural beauty is ready to welcome visitors,” said Assistant Secretary of Tourism Doug Bourgeois. “Whether it’s beautiful waterfront dining or ziplining over our swamps, this campaign provides an excellent opportunity for every region of our state to share what makes it uniquely beautiful.”
For more information, go to FindYourLouisianaOutdoors.com.
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