Nature School PA Day Success!
Nature School PA Day Success! Kids had a great time at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s latest Nature School Professional Activity (PA) Day! The UTRCA partnered with the Stratford Perth Museum once again to host a PA Day on Friday, November 21, at the museum. We brought together 16 enthusiastic participants for a full day of outdoor exploration, hands-on discovery, artmaking, and cultural learning. Campers engaged in [...]
Fall Groundwater Sampling in the Upper Thames River Watershed
Fall Groundwater Sampling in the Upper Thames River Watershed Under the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) manages a total of 28 wells at 22 different sites across the watershed. The program was launched in 2001 as a partnership between the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) in response to the low groundwater levels that were experienced in 1998. The purpose of this [...]
GIS Day 2025 at Western University
GIS Day 2025 at Western University The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) was pleased to participate in Western University’s annual GIS Day on November 19, joining a wide range of organizations and experts to celebrate and showcase the power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The open-house event, hosted by Western Libraries, brought together students, faculty, professionals, and community leaders to explore the latest GIS products, applications, and emerging [...]
Live Staking on the Medway Creek
Live Staking on the Medway Creek This November, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) led live staking projects at two locations along the Medway Creek. Despite the almost foot of snow, students from Medway High School and volunteers from the Thames River Anglers were able to get all of the live stakes into the ground! Using live stakes cut from willow trees, volunteers and UTRCA staff hammered them [...]
Massive Changes Proposed on the eve of the Conservation Authorities Act’s 80th Anniversary
Massive Changes Proposed on the eve of the Conservation Authorities Act’s 80th Anniversary For the latest news, go to our webpage on the Proposed Consolidation of Conservation Authorities The provincial government has introduced legislation to amend the Conservation Authorities Act. If passed, the legislation will create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency – a provincial, board-governed agency – to provide leadership, governance, strategic direction, and oversight of Ontario’s conservation authorities. [...]
UTRCA Online Tree Store Now Open!
UTRCA Online Tree Store Now Open! Private landowners in the Upper Thames River watershed can now easily purchase trees online through the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s Tree Store. Open until February 27, 2026, the online shop makes it simple to browse and purchase a wide selection of coniferous and deciduous trees, as well as wildlife shrubs for planting next spring. For the best selection, landowners are encouraged [...]
Smart Winter Maintenance: Protecting Our Drinking Water from Salt and Snow
Smart Winter Maintenance: Protecting Our Drinking Water from Salt and Snow As temperatures drop and winter weather approaches, many of us start preparing for icy roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. Road salt is a trusted ally in keeping these surfaces safe, but when salt is over-applied or improperly stored, it can have long-lasting impacts on our local waterways and drinking water sources. Once salt dissolves, it doesn’t disappear. Meltwater [...]
Riparian Buffer Zone Planting at Thamesford Lions River Park
Riparian Buffer Zone Planting at Thamesford Lions River Park On Sunday, November 2, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) supported a planting of 52 native trees and shrubs in Lions River Park with the Thamesford Lions, Kintore-Thamesford Scouts, and community members. Tree species planted included Swamp White Oak, Burr Oak, Tulip, Red Maple, Sycamore, and White Cedar, and shrubs included Nannyberry, Serviceberry, and Red Osier Dogwood. The event [...]
Fabulous Fall with Fanshawe Nature School
Fabulous Fall with Fanshawe Nature School The preschool years are one of the most important times of a child’s life to be immersed in nature, and to foster that first appreciation and respect for our local natural spaces. Fanshawe Nature School does just that! Children ages 2-5 with their caregivers develop confidence and comfort in place-based learning, exploring, and playing! This fall session, we learned about our local creatures [...]
Highlights from the Hope and Action Festival
Highlights from the Hope and Action Festival Anishinaabe Elder Mary Lou Smoke On Saturday, October 25, over a thousand people visited Fanshawe Conservation Area to attend the Hope and Action Festival. The day began with an Indigenous ceremony led by Anishinaabe Elder Mary Lou Smoke. Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed an exciting array of activities, including a live raptor show, giant floor map interpretation, live local music, [...]