Doug Lehman

Doug Lehman

Doug Lehman has had a profound impact in the field of horticulture for more than 3 decades. His deep-rooted passion for his vocation has been a lifelong affair. Doug’s journey to becoming a landscape horticulturalist began with agriculture classes in his home province of Saskatchewan. When he moved to Edmonton, he found a unique opportunity for his first professional role as a gardener: working for the Honourable Frank C. Lynch-Staunton, then Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor.

After 3 fruitful years as the Lieutenant Governor’s gardener, Doug embraced a new challenge at the Horticulture Centre, an Alberta Agriculture applied research centre northeast of Edmonton (now the Crop Diversification Centre North). Here, he was able to tap into his agricultural knowledge to supply shelterbelt trees to farmers. Doug also spearheaded the Integrated Pest Management program. Serving in this role inspired him to look for a new challenge, which led him to enter an apprenticeship program.

Upon completion of his apprenticeship, Doug began a role with Alberta Health that led to one of the highlights of his career. After a couple of years working in the ministry's greenhouses, he was asked by a therapist to establish a horticulture therapy program at Alberta Hospital Edmonton. This initiative engaged patients in raising plants to support their journey back to community life. Their efforts yielded annuals and bedding plants for sale to producers, and the greenhouse even developed a successful market garden organic food box program.

It was an immensely rewarding endeavour for Doug, and he cherished the experience. “I loved the patients. They were enthusiastic to come every day,” he recalls. “Horticulture is great therapy for anybody. I get therapy out of it myself. You get satisfaction by growing from a seed and seeing that either bloom or fruit. It's huge. It's all part of the life circle.”

Although Doug was able to dedicate more than 2 decades to the program at Alberta Hospital Edmonton, a tragic fire that consumed the greenhouses promoted him to explore new opportunities. While the greenhouses were eventually rebuilt and the program continues to thrive, Doug transitioned to a new role with the City of Edmonton. As a gardener in the horticulture department, his mission was to teach fellow staff members the art of pruning, planting, and plant/tree ordering, all in the pursuit of making the city a better place for its citizens.

“We were there to make the city beautiful,” Doug says. “Hopefully I’ve done that along the way.”

Doug has played a pivotal role in reshaping horticultural practices within the City of Edmonton, introducing innovative soil management techniques. His passion isn't confined to urban beautification alone - he actively promotes ecological stewardship.

Doug Lehman's unwavering commitment to enhancing the beauty of Edmonton is not only reflected in his horticultural expertise but also in his inspirational leadership. He taught the greenhouse portion of the Organic Master Gardeners Program (sponsored by Gai College in Victoria, BC) in Stony Plain for 3 years, and has mentored multiple apprentices over the years, welcoming anyone eager to learn. His personal and understanding approach has made him an invaluable mentor.

Now a crew leader within the City of Edmonton's horticulture department, Doug has devoted more than 3 decades to harnessing his knowledge and skills to inspire those around him. His infectious positivity and unwavering commitment to teaching have shaped the careers of numerous younger employees. Many who initially had little interest in horticulture found themselves inspired to make it their career after working with Doug. It has been said Doug can turn anyone into a horticulturalist!

Doug's colleagues firmly believe that he deserves recognition in the Alberta Trades Hall of Fame. Many have shared stories of Doug's positive influence on countless individuals. For Doug, such recognition is an honour, representing a profound sense of accomplishment. He is elated to have spent his career in a job he genuinely loves, deriving satisfaction from the work itself and the knowledge he imparts to those he teaches.

“It’s great to be in a job you love doing, because you always get satisfaction out of it,” he says. Doug has noted that through horticulture, “I feel relaxed. I feel calm. Nature is fantastic and we should enjoy every moment of it when we’re in it.”

Beyond his professional life, Doug's personal connection to horticulture remains steadfast. He has cultivated a wide variety of plants on his own acreage, both outdoors and within his greenhouse. His joy lies in nurturing these plants, observing their natural beauty as they bloom, mature, and produce seeds, allowing the cycle of life to begin anew. He sees the inherent value in nature and its capacity to enrich our lives by colouring the world, purifying the air, and enveloping us in a soothing fragrance.

Doug's mission extends to passing on his knowledge, ensuring that future generations of gardeners carry on the responsibility of caring for our Earth and providing fresh produce to our tables. Doug's career has been a testament to his enduring dedication to helping Edmonton’s landscape and people flourish, through natural beauty and personal growth.