Goertzen wins Watershed Builder award

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This article was published 28/12/2021 (1287 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“If you know the face of the watershed district, you know Cornie Goertzen.”

Those were the words of Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District manager Jodi Goerzen in describing one of two Watershed Builder Award recipients announced by MAW (Manitoba Association of Watersheds), on Dec. 7.

Goertzen was honoured alongside Roy Wood of the Redboine Watershed District.

A pioneer of conservation districts, later changed to watershed districts, the former La Broquerie councilor was named to the local district in 2002, becoming chair a year later and holding that position until 2021 when the torch was passed to Steinbach councilor Jake Hiebert.

Goertzen was originally appointed to the Rat River Sub-District after the RM of La Broquerie began the Seine-Rat River Conservation District.

In a nomination letter, Goerzen said Goertzen made a big impact.

“He was instrumental in providing leadership to the Seine River Integrated Management Plan, the Rat-Marsh Integrated Management Plan, the Southeast Regional Groundwater Study and the Roseau Integrated Watershed Management Plan,” she wrote. “Cornie’s desire for watershed protection exemplifies the local knowledge that we stand on as a district.”

It was his dedication that Goerzen recalls made such an impact.

“I think (he’s) the best example of a farmer that’s just passionate about water, holding water where it is and building resilience on farms and using local knowledge to do that,” she said.

For Goertzen, building relationships was a key part of the process of getting new projects off the ground.

“He just understood the value of meeting face to face and having producers in the same room, talking about what they need on the landscape and how we can go about moving forward to protect our land and water,” she said.

As a farmer, Goerzen said he was a perfect example of why the watershed districts were created, to preserve local knowledge and use it to guide the organization.

That local knowledge isn’t something the board takes for granted.

“There’s a definite knowledge gap that’s coming, where we’re trying to understand the lay of the land but it’s not the same as someone that’s grown up there and experienced where the water goes and can tell you where the water flows,” she said. “Having people that have that understanding of the landscape and the water flow network is amazing.”

Jodi Goerzen joined board chair Jake Hiebert to present the award to Goertzen at his La Broquerie home.

“I think it’s really quite amazing and I don’t know if these kind of volunteers are going to be around forever,” she said.

MAW board chair Garry Wasylowski thanked the award winners for their efforts, dedication and lasting contributions.

“Each of the 2021 award recipients have demonstrated undeniable dedication and commitment to enhancing the environment for current and future generations by incorporating sustainable management practices,” he said.