The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is pleased to announce the Wetland Education Teacher Workshop (WETshop) 2026, a coastal awareness workshop for educators passionate about our vanishing coast. The workshop is scheduled for June 8-12, 2026 at the LDWF Grand Isle Fisheries Research Lab. The application deadline is April 1, 2026.
The focus of this 5-day workshop is to provide educators with an in-depth look at issues related to wetland ecology and coastal land loss in Louisiana. Participating educators can accrue over 50 hours of instruction covering a wide variety of topics including wetland ecology, fisheries management, and coastal restoration. Educators will also spend a portion of each day in the field learning about maritime forests, barrier island beach ecology, coastal restoration projects, marsh and swamp habitats, and marine organisms. Workshop experiences provide ideas to incorporate Louisiana phenomena-based learning in various classroom settings at all grade levels.
All participating educators will receive wetland lessons correlated to the Louisiana Science Standards and many other educational resources from numerous sponsoring agencies and organizations. Lodging and meals are provided once participants reach the workshop site. Upon completion of the workshop, each participant will receive a stipend; additionally, participants will receive a second stipend upon completion of a wetland project during the following academic year.
WETshop is sponsored by LDWF in partnership with several state, federal, and non-governmental organizations along with the assistance of multiple volunteers. Since 1995, over 475 educators from 123 cities in 48 parishes and 4 other states have attended WETshop. Roughly 720,000 students, teachers, and communities have been educated about Louisiana coastal values and issues as a result of this unique collaboration.
Formal and non-formal educators interested in WETshop 2026 can visit the LDWF WETshop webpage or contact Lindsay Seely at lseely@wlf.la.gov with questions.
WETshop is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (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 the Foundation's webpage.
WETshop 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, as well as fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. LDWF depends on license sales as a major funding source. Please help us protect your hunting and fishing heritage while preserving habitat, wildlife, and aquatic resources by purchasing your license at the LDWF webpage.