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This May, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is hosting free* Aquatic Volunteer Instructor workshops in Baton Rouge. Workshops will be led by LDWF biologists and attendees will have the opportunity to learn about fishing activities and other fishery-related topics. All COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

Through LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program (Aquatic VIP), volunteers will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to teach today’s youth about fishing and fisheries management subjects. The workshop offered through this program is perfect for teachers, Scout leaders, homeschoolers, and anyone who enjoys fishing and the outdoors!

The workshop is open to all and attendees will receive the training necessary to become a volunteer instructor, a vital ally in LDWF’s efforts to increase fishing participation and wise utilization of Louisiana’s natural resources. Topics and activities include knot tying, casting skills, fish identification, fisheries management and more. All attendees will be provided with lesson plans and activity guides for grades K-12, as well as additional educational materials.

After completing the workshop and passing a background check, volunteers can borrow equipment to help teach these topics to others. For example, if you’ve always wanted to host your own fishing clinic for youth, but didn’t have the materials and resources to run one, then this is your solution! We can provide fishing rods with basic tackle, a knot tying kit, arts and crafts activities and more.

Aquatic VIP 2021 Workshops:

When:

• Wednesday, May 12th
• Saturday, May 15th

Location:

Waddill Wildlife Refuge
4142 N Flannery Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70814

Additional dates and locations to be determined.

To find out more information and to sign up, please visit: lwff.galaxydigital.com/  or www.wlf.louisiana.gov/ldwf-volunteer-programs.  For any questions about the Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program, contact Heather David at (225) 763-5415 or at hdavid@wlf.la.gov.

If you cannot make this particular workshop but have a group of people interested in taking this training workshop together, please contact Heather David at hdavid@wlf.la.gov.  We can come to your area and set up a private workshop for you and your group!

LDWF’s aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LWFF).? The LWFF was formed to provide a means for individuals and corporations to become partners with the Department and Commission in the responsibility of conserving Louisiana’s wildlife and fisheries resources.?

The Fisheries Extension Outreach Program fosters responsible, licensed anglers by organizing community fishing events and developing opportunities for anglers to participate in the conservation of Louisiana’s aquatic resources. The program promotes awareness of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which utilizes angler support to help ensure the future of recreational fishing in Louisiana for generations to come.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

*A $25 registration fee is required to reserve your spot. This fee will be returned to you upon your arrival at the workshop