A Wedgeport man has been named Nova Scotia Volunteer of the Year for Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Leo LeBlanc started the annual banquet as a way to help Ducks Unlimited preserve wetlands.
He grew up hunting and fishing on the Tusket Islands.
LeBlanc says it’s an honour to receive the award.
“I’ve been doing it for 33 years and it’s nice to be recognized. It’s been a lot of work, it takes me a couple of months to get everything recognized. To preserve the wetlands, it’s good for recreation, for everybody. My son and my grandson, they’re both hunters, so it’s nice to preserve some of the wetlands we have left.”
According to a release from Ducks Unlimited Canada, LeBlanc teamed up with a federal wildlife biologist, Paul Tuff in 1985 to host the first banquet.
They raised $65,000 that year, and the banquet is still going strong today, held each year at the Rodd Grand Hotel.
LeBlanc says he’s planning on organizing next year’s event, but after that he’s hopeful someone else will step up and take over.
