LDWF Honors Top Aquatic Volunteer Instructors
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recognized outstanding volunteers at an appreciation banquet in Baton Rouge.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Awards
Live Poll
Would you volunteer your own time to teach others about fishing or conservation?
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries honored top Aquatic Volunteer Instructors at an appreciation banquet on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Baton Rouge. Awards were presented across seven categories, including Lifetime Achievement and Aquatic VIP of the Year.
Why it matters
The program trains volunteers to teach aquatic education and conservation, and their donated time helps match federal funding for the state's fisheries programs. Recognizing top performers highlights the volunteer base that supports LDWF outreach across Louisiana.
Aquatic VIPs logged over 3,500 volunteer hours and contributed over $144,000 in in-kind match to federal funding in fiscal year 2025-2026. Participation included 171 events and more than 19,800 face-to-face interactions with the public.
The players
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
The state agency that trains and certifies Aquatic Volunteer Instructors and runs the program through its Education and Outreach staff.
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF)
The nonprofit that co-hosts the appreciation banquet with LDWF in support of wildlife and fisheries programs.
The details
Awards were presented in seven categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Fintastic, Outstanding Performance, Educator of the Year, Fishing Course Series Excellence, Rookie of the Year, and Aquatic VIP of the Year. The banquet was held in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation and recognized volunteers who logged at least five hours between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
Timeline
July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026: Eligibility window for volunteer hours honored at the banquet.
October 22, 2026: LDWF appreciation banquet held in Baton Rouge.
Culture Shift
The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, which relies on in-kind volunteer match to leverage federal dollars for public fishing education in Louisiana. Recognizing volunteers this way reflects the state's reliance on community members to deliver outreach at scale.
Residents interested in teaching fishing and aquatic skills can contact LDWF about becoming certified Aquatic Volunteer Instructors. Volunteers gain hands-on experience while helping sustain public outreach programs across the state.
The takeaway
Volunteer time directly strengthens public fishing education and helps unlock federal funding for Louisiana. Residents who want to get involved can start by reviewing the certification process through LDWF.
Further reading
Explore more Awards coverage in Baton Rouge.
More information
Learn about the program and register for workshops on the Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Louisiana Sportsman.
Live Poll
Would you volunteer your own time to teach others about fishing or conservation?
