What Are We Doing?
What Can You Do?
Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is a community-based environmental agency that works closely with municipal, provincial and federal government partners, landowners and community groups to protect, restore and manage the natural resources in the Long Point Region watershed.
Each parcel of land, whether it is urban or rural, and each individual action can make a real difference to the health of our watershed. Whether you live in a town, or close to a forest, wetland, meadow or stream, there are lots of actions you can do to help the natural environment thrive.
Our watershed covers 2,800 square kilometres and includes most of Norfolk County and parts of Brant, Elgin, Haldimand and Oxford counties. While we may be best known for our conservation areas, there is a lot more to the Long Point Region Conservation Authority. The staff at LPRCA plant trees, monitor water quality, protect drinking water supplies, monitor water levels and deliver conservation and heritage education programs, to name just a few of our activities.
Be a Watershed Steward Land stewardship is something that everyone can participate in to improve the health of the watershed. Some things you can do are:
Planning & Regulation Services: We build a healthier watershed where people and property are protected from flooding and erosion, and where land and water are conserved and restored. Healthy Watershed Services: We work toward an environmentally and economically healthy watershed that benefits all who have a stake in it. LPRCA provides technical advisory services to assist landowners and groups undertaking habitat restoration or enhancement projects. Forest Resources Management: LPRCA manages a large forest resource using sustainable forest management practices involving silviculture and wildlife habitat improvements which contribute to the health of the watershed’s natural environment. Conservation Lands: We own more than 10,900 acres of conservation lands including woodlands, wetlands and several conservation areas which help protect the natural features of the watershed while providing a range of recreational activities and outdoor spaces for people to enjoy year round. Education and Outreach: LPRCA provides education and information to create and promote informed, engaged and supportive communities for a healthier watershed and to increase awareness and appreciation of the watershed’s natural and cultural heritage.
For Surface Water Quality • Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce sediment and nutrient loading in the watershed. • Plant treed or grassed buffers along watercourses. • Contact LPRCA staff for best management practices for your on-line impoundments, such as bottom-draw conversion and establishing and maintaining sand traps. • In urban areas, implement best management practices such as minimizing the use of fertilizers and planting native trees and shrubs.
Where Are We?
Long Point Region
WATERSHED REPORT CARD 2013
We are one of 36 Conservation Authorities across Ontario under the umbrella organization of Conservation Ontario.
Why Report Cards?
Monitoring and reporting helps us understand our watershed and focus efforts where they are needed the most. This is the first report card for the Long Point Region watershed. It will be used as a starting point against which future report cards can be compared to identify trends in reported data. The 2013 Watershed Report Card utilizes data gathered between 2007 and 2011.
For Forests & Natural Areas • Plant trees to increase forest cover and connect woodlands. • Protect wetlands and where practical restore wetlands to meet the Environment Canada recommendation of 10% wetland cover for a healthy watershed. • Plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to enhance wildlife habitat and species diversity. • Learn to identify and control non-native invasive species.
What Does This Report Card Measure?
For Drinking Water • Practice and promote water conservation activities. • Select pervious surfaces for walkways and driveways to increase filtration through the soil and decrease surface runoff to storm drains. • Decommission unused wells and upgrade existing wells to prevent groundwater contamination. • Repair or replace faulty septic systems and ensure proper maintenance.
Surface Water Quality
Forest Conditions
Groundwater Quality
Wetland Cover
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains to a common river, lake or stream. No matter where you live, work or play, you are in a watershed. The things we do around our homes and in our neighbourhoods can affect the watershed we live in. Actions taking place at the top of a watershed affect those downstream.
Planning a project on your property? Call the Long Point Region Conservation Authority to find out more about best management practices on your property, learn about financial assistance programs or find out if a permit is required.
The Long Point Region (LPR) watershed is divided into six major subwatersheds: the Big Otter Creek, South Otter/Clear Creek, Big Creek, Dedrick/Young/Hay Creek, Lynn River/Black Creek and the Nanticoke/Sandusk/Stoney Creek. All of these subwatersheds drain directly into Lake Erie. Each subwatershed has unique features relative to their land base and land use that affect the grading of the watershed report card.
Long Point Region Conservation Authority 4 Elm Street, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 0C4 P: (519) 842-4242 • Toll Free: 1-888-231-5408 • F: (519) 842-7123 Email: conservation@lprca.on.ca www.lprca.on.ca
Long Point Region Conservation Authority
Long Point Region Conservation Authority has prepared this report card as a summary on the state of our forest conditions, surface water quality, wetlands and groundwater resources.
Grading A Excellent B Good C Fair D Poor F Very Poor
The standards used in this report card were developed by Conservation Authorities to ensure consistent reportings across the Province of Ontario and are intended to provide watershed residents with information to protect, enhance and improve the precious resources that surround us.
Cover Photo: E. Hartlen