New OrleansNational Protected Areas and Mardi

Gras

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

•Largest urban wildlife centre in US

•Birds, fish, alligators, reptiles, amphibians

•Half of a million tourists all over the world

Mardi Gras = Fat Tuesday

•Carnival celebration

•Over a million visitors every year

•Date changes - February 3 – March 9

•Started in the 18th century Christian festivity

•Everyone takes part

•Parades, costumes, live music, people dancing and having fun

Mark Twain: “…an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans”