LDWF Honors Aquatic Volunteer Instructors Honored at Annual Appreciation Banquet

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) celebrated their top Aquatic Volunteer Instructors (Aquatic VIP) at an Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, October 30^th, 2025 in Baton Rouge, LA. Volunteers who logged a minimum of 15 hours between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, were honored at the banquet for their dedication and impact. Prior to kicking off the banquet and awards ceremony, the Aquatic VIPs attended an extended education presentation about LDWF’s LA Creel program.

Banquet honorees are part of LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program, where they are trained and certified by Fisheries Outreach and Education staff and allow the Department to educate more youth and adults across the state about Louisiana’s fisheries and aquatic resources. Volunteer hours play a vital role in supporting LDWF’s mission, as they are used to match federal funding received through the Sport Fish Restoration fund. In the fiscal year 2024-2025, Aquatic VIPs logged over 3,700 volunteer hours and contributed in-kind match to our federal funding source. Aquatic VIPs and LDWF Fisheries Outreach staff participated in 165 events and had over 17,000 face-to-face interactions. Aquatic VIPs are essential for educating and promoting the wise utilization of Louisiana’s fisheries resources.

Certificates and awards were presented in several categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Fintastic Performance, Outstanding Performance, Fishing Course Series Excellence, Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year, and Aquatic VIP of the Year.

Below are list of the Lifetime Achievement honorees and this year’s awards recipients, including those unable to attend the banquet.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

Lifetime Achievement Awards celebrate the number of hours an Aquatic VIP dedicates to the program throughout their lifetime as a volunteer. These awards were presented at key milestones of 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 Aquatic VIP hours.

50 VIP Hours

100 VIP Hours

250 VIP Hours

500 VIP Hours

750 VIP Hours

Don Montgomery

1,000 VIP Hours

Edwin Richards

Fintastic Performance Award

Those who served 40 hours or more during the fiscal year 2024-2025 received the Fintastic Award.

Outstanding Performance Award

Tim Killeen

Beth Schwander

Fishing Course Series Excellence Award

Brad Dunne

Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year

Nadra DeMagnus

Aquatic VIP of the Year

Jay Schwander

Thank you to all of LDWF’s amazing volunteers who dedicate their time and passion towards aquatic and fisheries education!

The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF).  LDWF extends its appreciation to the sponsors and donors whose contributions—received by LAWFF—helped support LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet.

Sponsors and donors include Blue Runner Foods, Bob St. Amant, Bon Temps Grill, Candace Alexander Art Studio, Cajun Caviar, Cajun Food Tours, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Eric Lacefield, New Orleans Steamboat Company, Pelican Pointe Carwash, Perino’s Home and Garden, Roots Floral Preservation, Southern Hospitality Kitchens, Tree Frogs Adventure Park, and Wild Birds Unlimited.

To learn more about the Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program or to register for an upcoming workshop please visit: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/aquatic-vip

The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a USFWS grant program that provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education. 

About LAWFF:
The Foundation was formed to help expand and support LDWF education and research programs with additional resources developed through its own facilities. Encouraging support for LDWF programs is the major focus of the Foundation, accomplished by connecting people and businesses with Louisiana’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.lawff.org.