The scenic images that Louisiana brings to mind -- moss-draped cypress, lush marshlands, alligators gliding through bayous, herons coasting across an open sky -- all spring from one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the continent. This varied and inviting landscape gives rise to one of the state's many monikers, "Sportsman's Paradise," which rings true whether you are boating on picturesque Lake Martin or bird-watching among the ancient live oaks of Lafitte Woods. From the precious maritime forests of Grand Isle to the steep contours of Tunica Hills, Louisiana's wild outdoors defines each region's sense of place and value. For nearly thirty years, The Nature Conservancy in Louisiana has served as a steward of these ecological riches, protecting and maintaining more than 285,000 acres of the state's land. Now, for the first time, readers can observe the vast array of flora and fauna found in these complex habitats in Louisiana Wild, with the awe-inspiring photography of C. C. Lockwood. After trekking and canoeing through more than sixty properties managed by The Nature Conservancy, Lockwood presents a vivid photo narrative that journeys from the little-known Copenhagen Hills, a prairie habitat with the largest variety of woody plants in Louisiana; to the swampland lake of Cypress Island, with its massive rookery of roseate spoonbills and great egrets; to over a dozen other sites that showcase Louisiana's distinct environs. With 220 color images, Louisiana Wild pays homage to the immeasurable impact of The Nature Conservancy's efforts and will delight anyone who calls Louisiana home.

Based on a sweeping range of archival, visual, and material evidence, Wild Frenchmen and Frenchified Indians examines perceptions of Indians in French colonial Louisiana and demonstrates that material culture—especially dress—was central to the elaboration of discourses about race. At the heart of France's seventeenth-century plans for colonizing New France was a formal policy—Frenchification. Intended to turn Indians into Catholic subjects of the king, it also carried with it the belief that Indians could become French through religion, language, and culture. This fluid and mutable conception of identity carried a risk: while Indians had the potential to become French, the French could themselves be transformed into Indians. French officials had effectively admitted defeat of their policy by the time Louisiana became a province of New France in 1682. But it was here, in Upper Louisiana, that proponents of French-Indian intermarriage finally claimed some success with Frenchification. For supporters, proof of the policy's success lay in the appearance and material possessions of Indian wives and daughters of Frenchmen. Through a sophisticated interdisciplinary approach to the material sources, Wild Frenchmen and Frenchified Indians offers a distinctive and original reading of the contours and chronology of racialization in early America. While focused on Louisiana, the methodological model offered in this innovative book shows that dress can take center stage in the investigation of colonial societies—for the process of colonization was built on encounters mediated by appearance.

Here is a lovingly prepared volume of 112 wild game recipes hunters, cooks and other lovers of good game can discover of creating superb, mouth-watering steaks, roasts, stews and other main dishes, as well as soups and sauces, from all kinds of fresh game.

"A total of 475 wild flowers from the area of Texas' Big Thicket are described and spectacularly pictured in true-to-life, full-color photographs in this field guide to one of the United States' most diverse, complex, and biologically lavish wild-flower regions"--Inside flap.

Wildlife agents prepare themselves for anything. In the blink of an eye, a routine arrest for hunting rabbits at night -- a crime that carries only a nominal fine -- can turn into a manhunt, with an officer's life suddenly at risk. In Louisiana Wildlife Agents, officers tell of the unimaginable dangers lurking in their supposedly mundane tasks as they police Louisiana's bayous and backroads. The sequel to Game Warden: On Patrol in Louisiana, this book allows wardens to share their stories detailing the perils and pleasures of life behind the wildlife badge. Jerald Horst has compiled dozens of vivid anecdotes, including, among others, accounts of the grueling training academy for wildlife agents and the real dangers in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, all told in the officers' voices. Agents' spouses also share their perspectives on the work of a wildlife guardian. Thrilling and amusing, at times heart-wrenching, but always life-affirming, the stories of Louisiana Wildlife Agents will instill in readers a new respect and appreciation for this challenging profession.

In a world of constant change and crisis, the relationship between humans and their environment has never been more vital. Louisiana Herb Journal invites readers into the world of medicinal herbs, introducing fifty herbs found in Louisiana, with details on identification, habitat, distribution, healing properties, and traditional uses, including instruction on popular preparation methods such as tinctures and teas. Interspersed with these practical details, herbalist Corinne Martin shares stories that foster a true connection between readers and the world around them, from tales of childhood cherry picking to harvest mishaps to folklife traditions passed down through the generations. Accessible to experienced and rookie herbalists alike, Louisiana Herb Journal offers a new way of looking at the natural world, getting to know one’s “home ground” through a lens of healing and participation. Family connections, an intimate knowledge of the surrounding lands and waters, strong community bonds, an irrepressible resilience, and a great capacity for celebrating life despite hardships are part and parcel of what it means to be from Louisiana. A celebration of the state and the cultures of those who live there, Louisiana Herb Journal reflects on the value of medicinal herbs in promoting personal healing and addressing current challenges to the state’s environmental and economic stability. Readers will gain a deeper recognition of the natural wealth Louisiana enjoys and the ways that our stewardship of wild plants can impact our personal health as well as the state’s ecological future.

"After the Hunt, Chef John D. Folse's eighth cookbook, explores man's hunting history from cave man through American colonization. Travel through time as ancient man learns to create tools, nets and traps for hunting then, cultivates a gluttonous taste for wild game delicacies and grand game banquets that continue for days. From China to Egypt from Greece to Rome, the hunt was a revered sport that prepared men for war. Visit game parks of the noblemen and review the hunting privileges that were reserved for the aristocracy alone. Through Medieval Europe to the Renaissance the hunt was immortalized in paintings, tapestries, china, furniture, symphonies and song. With every page the reader comes to understand that man's love affair with hunting is not just about the kill, but about the pursuit of an ancient, innate treasure" -- publisher website (December 2007).