Briefly describe the Biosphere Reserve's importance in terms of cultural values (religious, historical, political, social, ethnological).


Aboriginal peoples generally used the area as hunters, fishers, and gatherers, except for one period of early agriculture and village settlement ca 900-1300 AD. There are at least two important archaeological sites in the area, one dating from 2,900 to 2,400 years ago, and the other from about 1,100 to 700 years ago. There is evidence of regular use of Long Point as a seasonal fishing area by aboriginal peoples.


European settlement came quite suddenly, beginning in the 1790s. Many of the early settlers came to the area from the United States, particularly from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, because of their continuing allegiance to Britain or to British traditions. ("United Empire Loyalists"). By the time of the War of 1812-14 between Britain and the United States, the population of Norfolk Township was about 3,000. They were successful in repulsing raids from the US across Lake Erie. This, and their general allegiance to, or acceptance of British traditions have remained important for the local sense of cultural and historical heritage in the Long Point area.


This local tradition is celebrated in a number of ways, particularly at the "Backus Heritage Conservation Area" (named after one of the first settlers). The Backus area includes a grist mill built by Backus in 1798 (which still operates), an assembled "Heritage Village" (c1860s vintage structures), a "pioneer life day" celebration, and an annually re-enacted episode from 1812 in which the mill was saved from destruction by raiders. A Backus Conservation Centre provides meeting space and display facilities for the community which are used by the LPBR. Permanent exhibits extol the tradition of waterfowl hunting and illustrate the biological diversity of the Long Point area.


Long Point was a major navigational hazard during the 19th century, given its shifting underwater shoals and the sudden severe storms that arise on Lake Erie. Evidence for 163 shipwrecks has been located around Long Point, and the history of a number of stricken schooners and steamers with a total of 626 lives lost has been recorded locally.


The ecological values associated with Long Point have been given additional recognition by its designation as a RAMSAR site in 1982, an International Monarch Butterfly Reserve in 1995 (by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation), and a globally significant Important Bird Area in 1996 (by BirdLife International).

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