Our next 2025 Conservation Champion that we’d like to highlight is Jacques Saquet!

Jacques is an avid naturalist and farmer who manages a herd of 60 bison near Laurier, Manitoba. In 2019, Jacques and his spouse Claudette bought a quarter section of land with the intention of moving bison there in the future. Nestled to the east of the Riding Mountain escarpment, this quarter section includes around 130 acres of grassland that had not been cultivated for more than 50 years, as well as areas of mature hardwood forest and young aspen forest.  

Since acquiring the quarter section, Jacques has been working hard to prepare the land for the arrival of the bison. Jacques is currently working on building fencing to create over ten different paddocks. These paddocks will allow him to manage where the bison graze, which will help maximize plant diversity and soil health.  

Each spring, 20-40 sharp-tailed grouse gather on this grassland for their annual courtship displays (a “lek” site). To protect these important grouse dancing grounds, Jacques plans to keep the paddock with the lek free of bison until after the courtship displays are over.  

When Jacques accompanied Marissa for a bird survey on the property in June 2024, their start was delayed due to a cow elk and calf in the area! Knowing that this area is important for elk, Jacques plans to make sure the fence he is building will be low enough for adult elk to jump over, and the bottom high enough for the young to crawl under.  

The forested sections of the property provide habitat for a variety of birds, including Red-headed Woodpeckers (a species at risk). In the open areas of the property, an array of species including Savannah Sparrows, LeConte’s Sparrows, and Bobolinks can be seen flying around and perching atop shrubs. Once the bison are added to the landscape, their grazing will play an important role in helping to restore and maintain this grassland habitat. 

Thanks Jacques, for being a wonderful steward of bird habitat!