November 6, 2018

‘Feasibility Study Will Examine Broadening Investment in Longwoods Road Conservation Area’

$72,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation ‘Seed’ Grant Awarded to Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation

Mount Brydges – The Ontario Trillium Foundation has awarded the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation a $72,000 Seed grant to complete a 12-month Feasibility Study at Longwoods Road Conservation Area, the location of the Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum in the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc.

The Ska-Nah-Doht Village was constructed in 1973.  It features a village reflective of the Native settlements found along the Thames River close to 1,000 years ago.  This village, created with the information gathered by archaeologists and First Nation peoples, offers tours, workshops and an opportunity to see how First Nations people once lived and their wise use of natural resources.  In addition to the village, there is an educational Resource Centre and many trails within the 155 acre conservation area.  Over 18,000 tourists and students learn about conservation and natural environment and First Nations history each year.

Now over 45 years old, the Longwoods infrastructure is insufficient to adequately support the number of visitors.  The Feasibility Study will examine the key outcomes of a public ‘Visioning Project’ that took place during the summer and fall at Longwoods in 2017, resulting in a lofty plan for rebuilding some aspects of the conservation area and expanding the programming being offered.  The ‘Vision’ was deliberately undertaken without regard to available resources to allow people the opportunity to dream and to imagine what would be ideal.  The Feasibility Study will have five components:

• Demand Analysis,
• Programming and Operations Review,
• Facility Design and Specifications,
• Capital and Operating Requirements and a
• Fund Development Strategy.

We are hoping to have a clear plan in place from the Feasibility Study by September 2019 to guide the implementation of the full ‘Vision’.  We will contract with a collaborative, professional team to complete the Feasibility Study, in cooperation with First Nations communities of the area.  “Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation is very excited to have received this seed grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation.  This grant affords Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation in conjunction with Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, the opportunity to study in-depth the opportunities and priorities identified in our Visioning exercise”, states Grant Jones – President of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations.  OTF awarded more than $120 million to some 700 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.