Washington designated the orca whale (Orcinus orca) as the official state marine mammal in 2005 due to the research and persuasion of second-graders from Crescent Harbor Elementary School in Oak Harbor, Washington. All State Mammals
Washington designated the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) as the official state tree in 1947 (Washington is known as the evergreen state). All State Trees
Washington officially designated the coast rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) as the state flower in 1959, though it was actually selected as the state flower in 1892 by the women of Washington for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. All State Flowers
Washington designated the willow goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) as the official state bird in 1951. All State Birds
Also called American goldfinch or wild canary, the male willow goldfinch has a bright yellow body with black wings and tail, and black on top of his head. The female's plumage is more muted with an olive-yellow body and dark brown tail and wings (the male goldfinch also displays this same dull plumage in the winter months).
West Virginia adopted an official state tartan in 2008. All State Tartans
The colors of the West Virginia State Tartan were chosen to represent the mountain state's history, culture and beauty:
Alabama designated the eastern wild turkey as the official state game bird in 1980 (the official state bird is the Northern flicker, adopted in 1927). Alabama has one of the largest per-acre populations of wild turkeys of any state in the United States.
"This is My West Virginia" by Iris Bell was designated an official state song of West Virginia in 1963. Iris Bell is a jazz musician, pianist, singer from Buckhannon, WV.
"The West Virginia Hills" by Ellen King and H.E. Engle was designated an official state song of West Virginia February 3, 1961. All State Songs
"West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home," by Julian G. Hearne, Jr (a Wheeling native, attorney, and career military officer), was designated the official state song of West Virginia in 1947.
The official state motto of West Virginia is "Montani Semper Liberi" (Latin for "Mountaineers are Always Free"). This motto was adopted with Article II, Section 2-7 of the state constitution signed in 1872. All State Mottos