The site provides an unique blend of habitats-long uninterrupted beaches, undisturbed sand dunes, grassy ridges, wet meadows, woodlands, marshes and ponds, and a shallow Inner Bay and was designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1986. The core of the biosphere reserve is the 3250 ha Long Point National Wildlife Area (519-681-6396), administrated by the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada since 1979. Other parks and protected areas include Long Point Provincial Park (262 camping sites) (519-586-2133), Provincial Crown Marsh, and the Big Creek National Wildlife Area (519-681-6396).