Community Comes Together to Restore Dorchester Mill Pond
Community Comes Together to Restore Dorchester Mill Pond On September 13, community members gathered at the Dorchester Mill Pond for an aquatic planting event organized by the Dorchester Mill Pond Committee and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Volunteers planted over 300 native aquatic plants along the shoreline and around the crib wall which was constructed in 2025. These plants will help stabilize the shoreline, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and provide valuable habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. The project was made possible through funding from the Canada Water Agency along with the ongoing efforts of [...]
Summer Conservation Area Educational Events Recap
Summer Conservation Area Educational Events Recap As another summer comes to a close, it’s time to highlight the many exciting and educational events that took place at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas (CAs) throughout the season. In July and August, we welcomed over 400 participants across 20 public events. Attendees of all ages got to experience the joys of nature, from late night hikes to mornings of bug catching! Some of the most popular events this year were the Owl Prowls, which invited families and bird enthusiasts alike to learn more about owls and explore owl- themed activities. [...]
SOARR Celebrates Most Successful Season
SOARR Celebrates Most Successful Season The Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) Program, part of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), is celebrating its most successful reptile incubation season to date, with a record 984 nests incubated in 2026, surpassing the previous record set in 2025 by approximately 200 more nests. The nests represented seven species of turtles and one species of snake. By the end of the field season, anticipated to be mid-September, SOARR will have released more than 16,000 hatchlings back into the wild, all successfully hatched in incubators. A major contributor to this year’s success was a record [...]
Turtle Education Program Sponsored by Nature London
Turtle Education Program Sponsored by Nature London Thanks to the generous support of Nature London, our Community Education team has expanded the Turtle Education program, which has reached over 3,000 people since August 2025. This initiative highlights the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s ongoing turtle conservation efforts through both school programs and community events. The classroom component has engaged more than 77 students in grades four through eight. These hands-on lessons discuss local turtle species's adaptations, local environmental threats, species at risk designations, and how community members and conservation authorities are actively protecting local endangered [...]
Fall Prep: What You Need to Know about Drinking Water Sources and Septics
Fall Prep: What You Need to Know about Drinking Water Sources and Septics As summer comes to an end and fall approaches, it’s a good time to prepare your property for changing weather. Heavy rain, falling leaves, and cooler temperatures can all affect your water supply and septic system. A little fall maintenance can help prevent bigger problems during the winter and protect your drinking water for the seasons ahead. Protect Your Drinking Water: Private Wells If your property relies on a private well, fall is an excellent time to inspect the area around your well and make sure [...]
Soil Health Tour at Thorndale Demonstration Farm
Soil Health Tour at Thorndale Demonstration Farm Our Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Stewardship Team recently hosted a highly informative Soil Health Tour at the Thorndale Demonstration Farm for 35 attendees. Established in 2021, the Thorndale Demonstration Farm showcases how agricultural best management practices (BMPs) can improve and protect soil health and water quality while maintaining productivity in the southern Ontario landscape. Agricultural Stewardship staff kicked the day off with a tour of the suite of BMPs being implemented and a brief background on the soil health of the farm. Chris Meier (A&L Canada Laboratories Inc.) covered the [...]
Avon River Fish Study
Avon River Fish Study On Monday, August 17, staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and members of the city of Stratford’s Energy and Environment Committee gathered along the Avon River just east of the St. Vincent Street dam to do a fish study. They conducted some electrofishing exercises to collect and record the fish species that were found in that section of the river. This is the first time UTRCA has been able to survey this section of the river. Water levels are normally too high for electrofishing, but the temporary lowering of the John Street [...]
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is one of Ontario’s most unique snake species and certainly worthy of attention. From their unique snouts to their dramatic displays, these little critters are packed with interesting traits and behaviors. This species's most distinguishing feature is its upturned nose, which gives this species its name. Those snouts are more than just a cute feature - they are vital to the snake’s burrowing abilities. This harmless, heavy body snake can reach lengths of 50 to 115 centimetres. Its colour and patterns are highly variable, from plain brown or [...]
Thames River Regulated Area Map Update
Thames River Regulated Area Map Update The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is updating regulated area maps along the Thames River using improved scientific data, technology, and mapping tools to more accurately identify natural hazards and regulated features. The updates include the following study areas: Delaware Study Area – from the western limits of the City of London to the UTRCA watershed boundary near Delaware. South Thames Study Area – from Pittock Dam in the City of Woodstock downstream to the City of London’s eastern limits Regulated area maps help keep people and property safe by identifying areas [...]
Stewardship Staff Site Visits Underway
Stewardship Staff Site Visits Underway With winter wheat harvest now complete, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) stewardship staff have been busy conducting site visits and assessing potential erosion control projects across the watershed. The post-harvest period provides an excellent opportunity to identify and address issues related to water runoff, soil erosion, and field drainage. With fields more accessible and erosion-prone areas easier to observe, staff are busy working with landowners to develop solutions before the next growing season. Now is also an ideal time to coordinate erosion control planning with planned drainage improvement projects. When new field tile [...]