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  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 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  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 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, [...]

Reconciliation starts with Understanding   The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's (UTRCA) Team for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (TIDE) organized several learning opportunities for staff around the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The activities included:  Lunchtime video screening of visit by comedian Jonny Harris to Oneida Nation of the Thames (via CBC Gem),  Sunrise Ceremony at Pittock Conservation Area, led by Mary Lou Smoke,  Reflections on land acknowledgements and [...]