The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is a community-based environmental agency dedicated to protecting, restoring and managing the natural resources in our watershed. For more than 60 years, the LPRCA has worked with all levels of government, local communities and landowners to manage the water and other natural resources in the watershed for a healthier watershed for everyone's benefit.
The LPRCA was established in 1971, when the former Big Creek Region and Otter Creek conservation authorities amalgamated. LPRCA is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario.
Our area of jurisdiction; the Long Point Region watershed covers 2,782 square kilometres and is home to nearly 102,000 people.
Many people who visit LPRCA's Conservation Areas each year are not aware that these beautiful parks are only part of what a Conservation Authority does. Staff at the Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) also monitor water levels and forecast floods, advise on planning and development matters, control erosion, plant trees and manage forests, deliver conservation and heritage education programs, provide recreational facilities and restore natural habitats, to name just a few of the CA's other activities. Access to a variety of conservation lands is provided for hunting and fishing.
The LPRCA is perhaps best known for its conservation areas: Backus Heritage, Deer Creek, Haldimand, Norfolk and Waterford North. These parks are open May - October and offer camping, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, swimming, hiking and special events. Backus Heritage Conservation Area is home to the 1798 Backhouse Grist Mill National Historic Site. Conservation and heritage education programs are available to schools and other groups at Backus. In addition to providing five campground areas and 2 camping cabins, BHCA provides a museum, heritage village with 20 historic strucutres, a nature centre and facility rentals for weddings, family reunions and meetings. The Long Point Region Memorial Forest is located at the entrance to Backus Heritage Conservation Area, north of Port Rowan.
The LPRCA helps landowners to improve their property by providing technical and financial assistance for projects such as tree planting, erosion control, wetland creation, establishing buffers and windbreaks, and other stewardship initiatives.