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2018 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced

By Hannah Helsby posted 06-06-2018 10:46 AM

  

2018 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 06, 2018) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the Boating Educator of the Year Award. Sponsored by Fresh Air Educators, the Boating Educator of the Year Award recognizes those who go above and beyond to engage students and boaters, raise awareness, and make boating education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting.

 

As a member of NASBLA, every state and territory is eligible to nominate their state‐level boating educator of the year to be considered for the regional and national educator of the year. The regional winners are invited to receive their awards at the NASBLA annual conference. The 2018 NASBLA annual conference will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana September 9‐12. The awards banquet will take place Tuesday, September 11th.

 

The Northern Region award recipient is John Steinbarge of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in the State of New York. Steinbarge_2C_20John_20photo.jpgJohn began his volunteer boating safety educator career at age 63 and continues as strong and committed and inspirational as ever at age 80. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2001 and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. John’s passion is evident through the time he spends teaching, mentoring, networking, actively patrolling, and thinking of new and innovative ideas to teach boating safety. His dedication can be seen through the number of safety events in which he participates and/or organizes to foster engagement in boating safety for the recreational boating public. John became a New York Safe Boating Instructor with New York State Parks in 2015.

 

The Southern Region award recipient is Julie Brown of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Julie, juliebrown.jpgaffectionately known throughout the community as “Jet Ski Julie”, is the sole Boating Education Coordinator for the State of Maryland. In the aftermath of a string of juvenile downing’s, the state's began tailoring their “Always Wear a Life Jacket” message to all participants, but especially to children, when going anywhere near the water. Julie has been instrumental in applying the safe boating message to children who may be participating in any water activity. When participating in any public forum, Julie challenges participants to think not just of boating safety, but water safety in general. Julie is dedicated to boating safety and teaches people the precious value of the state’s waterways and how to participate in water activities safely. Her efforts with children not only educate them, but also teach them to be future protectors of natural resources.

The Western Region award recipient is Liz Lodman of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Liz has been anlizlodman.jpg invaluable asset to Montana’s recreational boating safety program since 1989. Her dedication to recreational boating education, her passion, enthusiasm, expertise and professionalism, have had a positive and far reaching impact on the citizens of Montana and has inspired generations of Game Wardens. Liz has always been innovative and resourceful in finding ways to bring boating safety awareness and education to the citizens of Montana. Liz exemplifies the image of a true recreational boating professional and public servant.

For more information on the Educator of the Year Award, please visit www.nasbla.org/awards.

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. NASBLA offers a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards, publications and more. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, NASBLA affects the lives of over 76 million American boaters.

 

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Contact:

Hannah Helsby, Communications Director

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

Hannah@nasbla.org

859.225.9487

 

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