For immediate release

April 18^th, 2002

‘2002 Attractions Canada Awards’

Longwoods Road Conservation Area / Ska-Nah-Doht Village Wins the ‘Developed Outdoor Site’ Category for Ontario!

Longwoods Road Conservation Area/Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum won the Ontario provincial final in the ‘Developed Outdoor Sites’ category. This category includes ‘any outdoor site that has been built or developed by humans, historical sites, archaeological sites, zoos, botanical gardens, etc.’ On April 10, 2002, Attractions Canada announced the names of its provincial and territorial finalists, capping off a highly successful round one for its fourth edition. Longwoods Road Conservation Area /Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum is located in the Township of Strathroy-Caradoc, 6.5 km west of Delaware or 10 km east of Melbourne on County Road 2 – just a half hour from London and 1 hour from Chatham. It is owned and operated by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.

Why did we achieve this prestigious provincial award? Here are just some of the highlights submitted on the application! Longwoods Road Conservation Area / Ska-Nah-Doht Village is a unique facility which offers a beautiful and natural backdrop for a glimpse of First Nations life 1,000 years ago. The conservation area is 155 acres of Carolinian forests, Class A wetlands and ravines. Ska-Nah-Doht is the only reconstructed longhouse village from the Glen Meyer archaeological time period (800 - 1200 A.D.), in Ontario. Curriculum based education programs and workshops are offered in native studies and conservation education throughout the school year and special events attract the public year-round! Longwoods, as part of the Thames River Watershed also contributed to the designation of the Thames River as a Canadian Heritage River! It is a unique conservation area with versatile usage for heritage and eco-tourism, group camping and recreation all year around! Efforts towards innovation and visitor satisfaction are evident. As well, Longwoods rated highly in the promotion of the site, volunteer and professional affiliations and it has a positive economic, social and community impact on the local area. Come see for yourself! Spend a day in the park, step into the past!

Now that the first phase of the contest has been completed, a national jury will have the mission of analysing the submissions of the 113 winning attractions that represent Canada from coast to coast. The national jury will be made up of five people from across of the country and drawn from the tourism, media and business circles. Together, they will choose the 14 national winners to be announced at the Attractions Canada Gala on May 30, 2002, in Edmonton, Alberta. Keep your fingers crossed!

Attractions Canada is a national information program whose aim is to encourage Canadians’ interest in the country’s many attractions that have cultural or education value: for example, national, provincial and territorial parks, museums, historic sites, cultural and sporting events. Created in 1997, the Attractions Canada program is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the media and the private sector. For more information, please visit www.attractionscanada.com.

Longwoods Road Conservation Area / Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum Information
Karen Mattila, Curator Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum
(519) 264-2420.