From “Port Rowan Good News” community newspaper — December 2010

Over ten thousand feet of heavy tarp was installed on both sides of the Causeway, with another 750 feet secured around the Canadian Wildlife Service building, in an effort to reduce wildlife mortality on the heavily travelled road. “It’s heavy” commented one worker from her truck, “like trampoline or ginseng tarp.”

Project superintendent Steve Armstrong is “very happy” with the progress of the crew. Steve has been clearing a trench-like path beside the road for Jim Cook and John Armstrong to install “about a thousand” stakes. A second crew secured the tarp to the stakes. Workers Michelle Newton, Jodie VanSeveren, Bianca Armstrong and Brenda Rieder were enthusiastic about the project. “I think it’s awesome” said one.”I’m a big frog girl, so it’s great” said another. “We saved a little snapper” said a third.

The total labour cost to hire local people for the six week contract was about $28,000. Most of the funding was provided by Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program and Ontario’s Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. The Causeway Improvement fundraising campaign provided funds for costs such as removing garbage found along the road when the old fencing was removed and ongoing maintenance.

The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project is a community-based effort to revitalize the 3.5 kilometre-long causeway that links Long Point with the Port Rowan area. It is an important initiative of the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation.