Category: News Releases
Flood Watch (Event Message #1)
February 7, 2019Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Environment Canada is expecting strong southwest winds with gusts near 90 km/h to develop in the wake of a cold front sweeping through Southern Ontario overnight. Gusts near 100 km/h are quite possible especially in areas near the Lake Erie shore. It is expected that winds will begin to slowly diminish Friday afternoon.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Port Colborne to rise 1 m above the current level to an elevation of 175.5 meters (IGLD) and Long Point to rise 0.7m above the current level to an elevation of 175.2 meters (IGLD). Lake levels are expected to begin to rise in the early hours of Friday and peak late Friday morning to early afternoon. If this surge level is reached, some flooding can be expected in low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Community flood coordinators are advised to monitor the conditions and stand by for further information.
People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Watch is in effect until 4PM, Friday, February 8, 2019.
Contact Craig Jacques at 519-842-4242 ext. 265 or 519-429-2738 should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Event Message # 1)
January 23, 2019A warm front is passing through the area today, bringing with it strong winds, above seasonal temperatures and up to 30 mm of rain by the end of the day.
With the forecast rain and above freezing temperatures today, snowmelt will result in rising stream levels and possibly some nuisance flooding in low-lying areas. Due to the expected rise in water levels, the LPRCA is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all watercourses within its jurisdiction.
People are cautioned to stay away from ditches, watercourses, ponds and other water bodies as the combination of slippery banks, unstable ice and cold, fast-flowing water can be dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children, pets and livestock away from all of these areas. Today’s freezing rain has made them even more hazardous than normal.
Strong south-westerly winds gusting up to 70 to 80 km/h are expected this afternoon, however limited impact along the lakeshore is expected due to the ice cover that has developed on Lake Erie. Colder air will return tonight, bringing the short-lived January thaw to an end.
With watercourse levels expected to remain elevated for several days, this message is in effect until noon, Friday, January 25, 2019. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Craig Jacques, Water Resources Specialist at 519-842-4242 ext. 265 should further information be required.
The Story of the War of 1812 comes to life at Backus Heritage Conservation Area
September 5, 2017Port Rowan – September 5, 2017 – Join more than 200 soldiers and settlers as they set up camp for the annual War of 1812 Re-enactment. Each year on the weekend following Labour Day, historical re-enactors converge on Backus Heritage Conservation Area for what many people view as the highlight of the year – the War of 1812 Reenactment.
“Many visitors tell us that the War of 1812 Re-enactment is their favourite Backus Heritage Conservation Area event,” says Sheila Johnson, Curator at Backus Heritage Conservation Area. “For over 25 years, the Norfolk Militia Heritage Regiment has partnered with Backus Heritage Village to present an immersive experience of what life was like in Norfolk County during the War of 1812, specifically during the raids on coastal communities in Upper Canada in 1814.” The event includes battle demonstrations, an 1812 sutlery, costumed interpretation of camp life and the life of a soldier as well as medical practises of the time.
Programming and activities take place 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 9th and Sunday, September 10th. The main battle will be at 2:00 pm.
Backus Heritage Conservation Area is located 2 kilometres north of Port Rowan.
For more information about activities scheduled during the War of 1812 Re-enactment event visit lprca.on.ca or contact Sheila Johnson, Curator at 519-586-2201, ext 228.
Cops Help Kids Cast a Line
August 4, 2017Langton, ON: Fishing enthusiasts from across the region will soon be making their way to Langton. The annual Deer Creek Children’s Fishing Derby is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 12.
The event will run from 8:00 am until 1:30 pm at Deer Creek Conservation Area and is open to kids ages 16 and under. The cost to participate is $3.00 for kids 7 and under or $4.00 for kids 8 to 16. Sponsors have donated tons of prizes for the kids in both age categories, with a special prize for the first kid who reels in a tagged fish. Registration for this event begins at 8 am at the pavilion. Day park use admission is required.
The event is sponsored by Fishing Forever, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding worthwhile fishing, conservation and education projects. It is also supported by the Police Association of Ontario, Canadian Tire, Norfolk OPP Detachment, and the Long Point Region Conservation Authority.
According to Bob Izumi, Chair of Fishing Forever, there is nothing that puts a smile on a kid’s face faster than catching a fish. “That’s why I love to create opportunities for children and families to go fishing,” states Izumi. “Fishing is one of the very best ways for parents and other adults to establish productive and healthy relationships with children.”
For more information on this event, please visit www.lprca.on.ca, www.facebook.com/LongPointConservation, www.twitter.com/longpointca, or contact Jarah Stefek jstefek@lprca.on.ca.
To learn more about Kid’s, Cops and Canadian Tire, please visit www.kidsandcops.ca, www.facebook.com/KidsCopsCanadianTire, or contact Joanne Vaughn at events@kidsandcops.ca or 905 632 8679.
NORfolktales of Land and Lake takes the stage this August
July 14, 2017Port Rowan, Ontario – July 14, 2017 – Local history buffs and theatre enthusiasts will not want to miss this upcoming event. For the first time ever, and in recognition of Canada’s 150th birthday, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority and Anne Barber and Brad Harley of Shadowland Theatre are presenting the outdoor theatre production entitled NORfolktales of Land and Lake. This youth and community-based outdoor theatre production takes place this summer at Backus Heritage Conservation Area north of Port Rowan. NORfolktales is being created in four free workshop weekends at locations all across Norfolk County, culminating in an outdoor extravaganza from August 17 to 20 at Backus Heritage Conservation Area. Performances each night will be held at 7:30 pm. Tickets are: $10 for adults, $5 for youth (6-17) and free for children 6 years and younger.
“NORfolktales of Land and Lake celebrates the myriad of stories from both Indigenous and settler histories and traditions that form our sense of community in Norfolk County,” says Backus Museum Curator Sheila Johnson. “Tales of shipwreck and rum-running, invasions and rescues, heroines and mad doctors will all come to life in the historic Backus Village site,” she added.
The creative team behind NORfolktales includes Ian Bell of the Crooked Stovepipe and Shadowland Theatre’s Anne Barber and Brad Harley. They have collaborated on multiple projects in Norfolk County including Lion on the Lake held in Port Dover in 2012. NORfolktales is an ONTARIO 150 project funded by the Province of Ontario through the ONTARIO 150 Partnership Program, the Ontario Arts Council and the Youth Theatre Training Program of Theatre Ontario.
LPRCA to Host Longest Picnic Table – World Record Attempt
June 30, 2017Port Rowan, Ontario – June 30th, 2017 – As part of Canada 150 celebrations, the Port Rowan/South Walsingham Heritage Association in partnership with the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is inviting people from across the region to help break a Guinness World Record for the Longest Picnic Table at Backus Heritage Conservation Area on Saturday, July 8th, 2017 at 1:00 pm. 150 picnic tables will be lined up in Backus Heritage Village from the Cherry Valley School to the Museum in celebration of Canada 150. Admission to Backus Heritage Conservation Area is free that day for all visitors bringing their lunch in a picnic basket to participate in this record attempt. Gates for the world record event will be open at 11:00 am.
“Picnic Day at Backus Heritage Conservation Area will include a host of activities for all ages, “says LPRCA Chair Noel Haydt. Highlighting the day will be World Record holder and illusionist Lucas Wilson who will be performing his magic starting at 2pm. The Picnic Day will also include food and dessert trucks, live music, picnic games, vintage baseball and of course, the World Record attempt at 1pm.
“It should be an absolutely great event,” added Haydt. “Picnics have been a large part of this region’s social culture, so what better place to host it than Backus Heritage Village.” The Backus Heritage Village is located at Backus Heritage Conservation Area, just north of Port Rowan.
Cops Help Kids Cast a Line
June 23, 2017Port Rowan, ON: Local police officers will be helping kids cast a line this summer during a Children’s Fishing Derby, Sunday, July 2.
Taking place at the Backus Heritage Conservation Area, 1267 Second Concession, Port Rowan, the derby will run from 8 am to 1 pm. Children 16 and under are invited to “drop a line in the Mill Pond” for a chance to win great prizes. Anglers are asked to bring their own equipment, though bait will be provided. The cost to participate is $3.00 per child, plus regular park admission.
The event is sponsored by the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting recreational fishing. It is also supported by Fishing Forever, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Canadian Tire – Simcoe & Delhi, Norfolk OPP and the Police Association of Ontario.
Fishing Forever chair Bob Izumi is an avid supporter of recreational fishing for both the young and the young at heart. “I love to create opportunities for children and families to go fishing,” states Izumi. “Fishing is one of the very best ways for parents and other adults to establish productive and healthy relationships with children.”
For more information on this event please visit www.lprca.on.ca www.facebook.com/LongPointConservation http://www.twitter.com/longpointca or contact Brandon Good, Supervisor at Backus Heritage Conservation Area, 519-586-2201 ext 221.
To learn more about Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire, please visit www.kidsandcops.ca, www.facebook.com/KidsCopsCanadianTire or contact Sarah McMichael at events@kidsandcops.ca or 877 822 8881.
Free Family Earth Day event at Backus
March 20, 2017Earth Day is right around the corner and the Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is celebrating on Saturday, April 22 with an afternoon of free activities at Backus Heritage Conservation Area.
“This free event gives families and friends the perfect opportunity to connect with nature,” said Fiona Navickas, Outdoor Educator at Backus Heritage Conservation Area. “Here, you can experience the great outdoors close to home.”
Drop into the Conservation Education Centre any time between 1pm and 3pm to:
- Explore nature on a guided walk
- Get creative with nature-themed crafts
- Decorate a flowerpot to take home
- Snap a picture in an awesome photo booth
- Test your skills in “Minute-to-Win-it” games
- Discover what lives in the Mill Pond during a pond dipping session
Backus Earth Day is a free community event focusing on learning about our environment through educational hands-on activities. It is presented by the Long Point Region Conservation Authority in partnership with Norfolk County Community Services Department.
For more information, contact Fiona Navickas, LPRCA Outdoor Educator at outdoored@lprca.on.ca or 519-586-2201 ext 231.
Backus Owl Prowl: A Nocturnal Adventure
March 6, 2017Backus Heritage Conservation Area’s popular Owl Prowl program returns on March 25th. This evening program starts at 6 pm and offers participants an opportunity for some outdoor fun while learning about local owls.
Join Fiona Navickas, Long Point Region Conservation Authority’s (LPRCA) Outdoor Educator, to learn why owls are so important to the environment. “The Owl Prowl is a great event for people of all ages,” Navickas says. “The people taking part learn amazing facts about owls and the ways they adapt – and normally find the event to be a ‘hoot’.”
The evening features a visit from the Canadian Raptor Conservancy with live owls that attendees can meet up close and personal.
Attendees will also walk through Backus Heritage Conservation Area on a guided hike to look and listen for signs of owls following the indoor presentation.
Admission to the Owl Prowl is $2 per child, $4 per adult or a $10 family package.
For more information, please contact Fiona Navickas, LPRCA Outdoor Educator at outdoored@lprca.on.ca or 519-586-2201 ext 231.
Backus Heritage Conservation Area, where history meets nature, is located two kilometres north of Port Rowan.
LPRCA Board approves 2017 Budget
January 27, 2017The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) has approved its 2017 budget. “The 2017 Budget reflects the wide range of programs and services that help ensure the community’s expectation of a healthy environment,” explained LPRCA Chair Noel Haydt. “With support from our member municipalities, the federal and provincial governments, volunteers and the community, LPRCA will continue to implement cost-effective and innovative programs aimed at enhancing the watershed.”
The budget totals just under $4.5 million and includes a levy contribution from member municipalities of approximately $1.8 million.
LPRCA then raises the balance of the budget from other revenue sources, such as camping fees, conservation areas admissions, planning permits, property rentals, forest management revenue and provincial grants. This is the second year in which no reserve withdrawals are planned to support the operating or capital budgets.
Working with Haldimand County to update flood and erosion hazard information, completing repairs and studies totaling $205,000 for various water control structures, and spending $231,000 on improvements to infrastructure at five conservation areas, are just a few of the projects in LPRCA’s 2017 Budget.
These special projects are all in addition to the significant work that Long Point Region Conservation Authority undertakes annually, such as habitat protection and restoration, water quality projects and monitoring, flood response, education and recreation to build a healthy and resilient watershed.
For further information contact LPRCA General Manager Cliff Evanitski at 519-842-4242 ext 225.