The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) celebrated its top Aquatic Volunteer Instructors (Aquatic VIP) at an appreciation banquet on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Baton Rouge, LA. Volunteers who logged at least 5 hours between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, 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 participation and volunteer contributions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
Banquet honorees are part of LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program, where LDWF Education and Outreach staff train and certify them, allowing the Department to educate more youth and adults across the state about Louisiana’s fisheries resources and conservation efforts. 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 2025-2026, Aquatic VIPs logged over 3,500 volunteer hours and contributed over $144,000 of in-kind match to our federal funding source. Aquatic VIPs and LDWF Education and Outreach staff participated in 171 events and had over 19,800 face-to-face interactions. Aquatic VIPs are essential to educating the public about the wise use of Louisiana’s fisheries and aquatic resources and promoting conservation education across the State.
Certificates and awards were presented in several categories, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, Fintastic Award, Outstanding Performance, Educator of the Year, Fishing Course Series Excellence, Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year, and Aquatic VIP of the Year.
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.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
50 VIP Hours
- Chantal Correll
- Courtney Budenich
- Katherine Gividen
- Kristy Carter
- Robin Cobb
- Scott Fleming
100 VIP Hours
- Amanda Marshall
- Chandler Aucoin
- Gary Alipio
- Hope Collins
- Jennifer Cook
- Joey Musso
- Katie Ruffin
- Stephen Casebonne
250 VIP Hours
- Doreen Rivere
- Jodi Morton
- Lori Marinovich
- Nadra DeMagnus
- Tim Killeen
500 VIP Hours
- Nancy Walsh
750 VIP Hours
- Jay Schwander
- Rachel Duplechain
1,000 VIP Hours
- Don Montgomery
Fintastic Award
Those who served 40 hours or more during the fiscal year 2025-2026 received the Fintastic Award. These include:
- Amanda Marshall
- Beth Schwander
- Brad Dunne
- Chantal Correll
- Debrina Baham
- Don Montgomery
- Edwin Richards
- Gary Alipio
- Hope Collins
- Jay Schwander
- Jennifer Cook
- Jodi Morton
- Joey Musso
- Katherine Gividen
- Katie Ruffin
- Lily Congemi
- Lisa Musso
- Lori Marinovich
- Nadra DeMagnus
- Nancy E Walsh
- Rachel Duplechain
- Robin Cobb
- Stephanie Vidrine
- Timothy Killeen
Outstanding Performance Award
- Amanda Marshall
- Hope Collins
Educator of the Year
- Jennifer Cook
Fishing Course Series Excellence Award
- Don Montgomery
Aquatic VIP Rookie of the Year
- Katie Ruffin
Aquatic VIP of the Year
- Debrina Baham
Thank you to all of LDWF’s amazing volunteers who dedicate their time and passion to fisheries and conservation education!
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) extends its appreciation to the sponsors and donors whose contributions—received by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation—helped support LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet. Their generosity made the event possible and helped recognize the dedicated volunteers who share their time and expertise teaching aquatic education across the state.
Sponsors and donors include Cajun Caviar, Cajun Classic Cookware, Delta Discovery Tours, Dr. Bob St. Amant, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Heidi V. Mire Gulf Catch Collection, J. Duet Crafted, Louisiana Crawfish Company, Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, Pelican Pointe Carwash, Perino’s Home and Garden Center, Roots Floral Preservation, Voodoo Swamp Tours, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Zip NOLA.
To learn more about the Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program or to register for an upcoming workshop please visit: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
The Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program Appreciation Banquet 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 www.lawff.org.
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.
