2022 Watershed Awards
2022 Redboine Watershed District Award Recipient:
Lucien Lesage
The Redboine Watershed District (RBWD) is pleased to present Lucien Lesage with the 2022 RBWD Conservation Award. This award recognizes the outstanding contributions and impact that Lucien has had on our landscape.
Lucien was born one of 20 children on a farm close to Notre Dame. At the tender age of 17, he purchased the grocery store in Notre Dame. Then, with his brothers, jointly purchased the restaurant, lounge and motel. His wife, Mirielle, is a nurse and they have six sons and six granddaughters.
Lucien decided to sell the local businesses and move back out to the farm, partly because he wanted to show his children where their food came from. Now, he and his wife have been on their acreage for 25 years. His operation consists of sheep, hogs, poultry, honeybees and harvesting maple syrup in the spring. He also enjoys his large garden and all the fresh produce. Lucien is the past Chairman of the Manitoba Sheep Association and is involved with the Canadian Sheep Federation.
The Lesage family is always looking for ways to improve their operation to benefit both the farm as well as the environment. His interest
lied with becoming self sufficient, and then being able to provide sustainable and healthy products to consumers.
Pictured: Lucien Lesage (left) & Marshall Piper (right)
“Lucien had a long history of involvement as a sub-district member with the Pembina Valley Conservation District and was a leader in increasing the awareness of erosion and other watershed issues in the Roseisle Creek Sub-Watershed,” says Justin Reid, RBWD Manager. “He has now brought that enthusiasm and desire to make a difference with him to the Redboine Watershed District.”
“He was willing to practice what he preaches, taking 5 acres of pastureland out of production to establish a woodland area to help stop major erosion in a gully on the north edge of his property.” - Justin Ried, RBWD Manager
A 5-acre portion of Lucien’s farmland is adjacent to a deep ravine that is eroding. Concerned about the loss, he approached the district for help to establish a shelterbelt that would assist in preventing further erosion.
Lucien was one of the first applicants to Growing Outcome in Watersheds (GROW). Through GROW, he was able to plant approximately 1500 trees of a variety of native tree and shrub species. Because of his hard work and care, the success rate of his planting was nearly 90% even though we were in the middle of an extreme drought summer.
“He’s been a great sub-district member, and has volunteered to represent his sub-district on our GROW Committee,” Justin says. “His conservation-minded history and his willingness to show people you can make a difference makes him the perfect choice for our 2022 Watershed Award.”
The Redboine Watershed District would like to congratulate Lucien Lesage on his commitment to the Boyne Watershed.