Our Mission Statement
The Coalition to Save Lemay Forest advocates for the protection and stewardship of the Lemay Forest lands. We work with government, community members, and partners to preserve, protect, enhance, and restore this important urban forest as a provincial park. Our efforts support the expansion of public greenspace, the protection of Winnipeg’s urban canopy, improved climate resiliency, and the conservation of global biodiversity. We are committed to honouring the history and sacred ceremonial grounds of this land. We will build partnerships that support reconciliation and ensure Lemay Forest is protected for future generations as a peaceful refuge where people can experience nature, healing, and low-impact recreation.
Our Vision
Our vision is that the Lemay Forest lands are maintained as a healthy biodiverse park for wildlife and vegetation thrive and where people find peace and tranquility.
Coalition History in Brief
In October 2023, a planner representing the landowner sent threatening and aggressive letters to the residents of Lemay Avenue. A Winnipeg advocacy group received a letter from the planner indicating that the landowner will continue with the development plans in 2024 unless there is an expressed interest in acquiring the Lemay Forest land by end of December 2023. This action launched a core group of residents and local advocacy groups who met and concluded that the solution to saving the Lemay Forest and greenfield was to acquire the land in partnership with government and the community at large. A draft strategy to acquire the Lemay Forest was created with help from a local advocacy group and became the foundational document for next steps.
An online petition was launched totalling 7104 signatures, a paper petition garnered 1400 signatures, a GoFundMe raised $8000.00, and a website along with social media accounts were the main mechanisms used for raising awareness and updating supporters. Dozens of creatives showed their support by creating music and songs about Lemay Forest, poets and authors wrote about Lemay Forest, photographers generously shared their wildlife photos and drone footage. A documentary filmmaker filmed the Lemay Forest story in her most recent film, “Everything We Need Is Here”. Countless supporters submitted op-eds and letters to the editor opposing development and the senseless tree cutting.
The landowner’s development application was rejected at every level of City Council, 2 public hearings, and at the Manitoba Municipal Board public hearings. Two separate offers by Manitoba Habitat Conservancy to purchase the Lemay Forest land were rejected by the landowner in May and December 2024.
The third deforestation attempt occurred in December 2024, where just over an acre was cleared by January 2025. A Sacred Fire was lit on a public right-of-way adjacent to the Lemay Forest land by a local elder. Community came together to support the Sacred Fire Keepers for 108 DAYS by providing winter gear, 3 meals a day, firewood, sacred medicine, propane, water, honorarium, and sitting in Ceremony with Indigenous People listening and learning. An injunction was obtained against the land protectors and community members and a strategic lawsuit against public participation was filed. A land defender then filed a private prosecution against the landowner. Seasoned land and water campaigners, advocacy groups with national reach, and local history experts lifted the Lemay Forest profile during the winter of 2025.
On April 14, 2025 while the chainsaws started up again, Manitoba Premier, Wab Kinew, announced the province would be expropriating the Lemay Forest for a Provincial Park! Months later, a legal defense fundraising goal of $25,000 was reached to cover legal costs for three lead organizers
Board of Directors
We have a small but mighty Board of Directors.
- Cat Gauthier
- Stacy Gosman
- Jaxon Kowaluk
