Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, the Louisiana State Museum, and the Louisiana Museum Foundation will celebrate the opening of the Sportsman’s Paradise: A Louisiana State Museum Exhibition Celebrating Conservation exhibit as the centerpiece of the 2026 Louisiana Museum Foundation’s Founders Ball on Thursday, November 5, at The Cabildo in New Orleans.
Louisiana didn’t become known as the Sportsman’s Paradise by accident,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “For generations, our people have understood the value of our wetlands, wildlife, and waterways and the responsibility we have to protect them. This exhibition tells that story through the traditions, artwork, and craftsmanship that make Louisiana unique, while showing how conservation continues to protect the places and way of life we treasure.”
The exhibition explores Louisiana’s sporting history and outdoor heritage through the traditions of craftsmanship, duck hunting, and the evolution of habitat stewardship in one of North America’s most important migratory corridors. This exhibit will be on view through summer 2028.
Situated within the Mississippi Flyway, Louisiana has long been a destination for waterfowl and a proving ground for conservation practices. Drawing from the Louisiana State Museum’s permanent collection and significant private loans, Sportsman’s Paradise traces the evolution from early sporting traditions to modern, science-based conservation efforts that sustain wetlands, wildlife, and the communities that depend on them. Featured artifacts include original works by John James Audubon and George Viavant, early 20th-century photographs, Louisiana-made decoys, and other objects that showcase the craftsmanship and traditions associated with Louisiana’s outdoor heritage.
“The Sportsman’s Paradise is more than a nickname. It is part of who we are as Louisianians,” Nungesser said. “Whether you are a duck hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, or simply someone who enjoys the beauty of our bayous and wetlands, these natural resources connect us to our past and our future. This exhibition celebrates that connection and reminds us why conservation matters.”
The Founders Ball is the Louisiana Museum Foundation’s annual fundraising gala celebrating a flagship exhibition in the third-floor gallery of The Cabildo. Proceeds from the event help fund the creation and presentation of major exhibitions and support educational programming throughout the exhibition’s run, including K-12 field trips, student resources, public lectures, and lifelong learning opportunities for audiences of all ages.
For more information on the Louisiana Museum Foundation’s Founders Ball, or to purchase tickets and sponsorships, visit thelmf.org or louisianastatemuseum.org
