Top row from left to right: (LWFC Commissioners) Jimmie Martin Sr, Harlie Reynolds, Andrew Blanchard, Kevin Sagrera, Andy Brister, Nathan Wall and Jonathan Walker.
Bottom row from left to right: Secretary Tyler Bosworth, Col. Stephen Clark, Lt. Derek Ware and Capt. Jason Russo.
Bottom row from left to right: Secretary Tyler Bosworth, Col. Stephen Clark, Lt. Derek Ware and Capt. Jason Russo.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division awarded their inaugural Louisiana Boating Educator of the Year Award at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting on Sept. 4 in Baton Rouge.
The LDWF Enforcement Division honored Lt. Derek Ware, of Alexandria, with the 2025 Louisiana Boating Educator of the Year award. This award is earned by making outstanding contributions to boating safety through education, engaging students and boaters, raising boating safety awareness, and making boating education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting.
“Lt. Ware has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to boating safety education,” said Col. Stephen Clark, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division. “His leadership, commitment and significant contributions to both formal and outreach boating education make him a deserving candidate for this prestigious award.”
Lt. Ware is an 11-year veteran with the LDWF Enforcement Division and mainly patrols central Louisiana. He consistently ranks among the top LDWF agents for both safe boating education certification numbers and teaching in-person safe boating education courses to the public.
Lt. Ware is also a National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators Boat Crew Member instructor that shares his knowledge with other instructors that teach safe boating education courses. He is an active participant in all of LDWF’s annual safe boating campaigns and his commitment to these initiatives have helped encourage the public to engage in safe boating practices.
Lt. Ware has made significant contributions to the volunteer instructor safe boating education program assisting with onboarding new instructors and providing mentorship to help them develop their own skills as safe boating educators.