Shoulder Season offers Plenty of Fall Recreation Opportunities at UTRCA Conservation Areas (media release, October 7, 2025)
October 7, 2025 For Immediate Release Shoulder Season offers Plenty of Fall Recreation Opportunities at UTRCA Conservation Areas The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has scheduled another six weeks extension to its day-use access Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas this fall. Effective Monday, October 20th the Shoulder Season will run until Sunday, November 30th. “We’re happy to be continuing with day-use access through the fall so people can [...]
UTRCA and Stratford Perth Museum Co-Host PA Day (media release, September 25, 2025)
For Immediate Release UTRCA and Stratford Perth Museum Co-Host PA Day The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and Stratford Perth Museum have partnered once again to co-host a Nature School PA Day on Friday, October 10. The PA day will be held at the Museum in Stratford and is open to students aged 6 to 10. Staff have planned an entire day of outdoor and indoor fun including: [...]
Nature London Boosts Turtle Education and Prairie Restoration
Nature London Boosts Turtle Education and Prairie Restoration The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is excited to share that Nature London has donated $20,000 over four years to support turtles at risk and tallgrass prairie restoration in our watershed. This generous gift will allow our Southern Ontario at Risk Reptiles (SOARR) program and Community Education staff to team up on new hands-on learning opportunities. From turtle lab tours [...]
Summer Event Highlights at UTRCA Conservation Areas
Summer Event Highlights at UTRCA Conservation Areas As the leaves start to change colour, we’re reflecting on the wonderful events and experiences shared at Fanshawe, Pittock, and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs) this past summer. This year, we welcomed more than 500 participants and held 32 events that connected people of all ages with nature. One of the season’s most popular offerings was our series of Firefly Walks, which invited [...]
Dry Summer Allows for Rare Measurements
Dry Summer Allows for Easier Deep Water Measurements Each year, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff survey local rivers and reservoirs using GPS equipment. These surveys help us understand the shape and depth of waterways, which is important for creating accurate flood models and managing water levels. This summer’s dry weather gave our survey team a rare chance to measure areas that are usually too deep. Using a [...]
Low Water Conditions in the Upper Thames Watershed
Low Water Conditions in the Upper Thames Watershed The summer’s hot, dry weather has led the Low Water Response Team for the Upper Thames River watershed to declare a Level 1 Low Water advisory. The advisory is part of a three-tiered system used in Ontario to inform the public of local low water conditions. The key indicators used to evaluate low water conditions are precipitation over the past one [...]
Turtle Program Spotlight!
Turtle Program Spotlight! This August the Species at Risk team and Community Education team were able to come together to provide a spotlight on the amazing turtle conservation work of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) through three different events. The 2025 Reptiles at Risk Friends and Family Day hosted on Saturday, August 23, was a huge success! With over 120 people in attendance, we were able to [...]
Public Health Ontario’s New Water Testing Portal Toolkit
Public Health Ontario’s New Water Testing Portal Toolkit Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) drinking water source protection staff is pleased to announce the launch of Public Health Ontario (PHO)’s new Water Testing Portal Toolkit. The portal provides a modern, streamlined way for Ontarians to test and access results for their private drinking water systems. This initiative is designed to make testing faster, more efficient, and more accessible, while [...]
Volunteering at a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
Volunteering at a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). It was such a rewarding experience! For those who may not know, the Thames River supports one of the richest communities of freshwater mussels in Canada. Historically, it was home to 32 [...]
Fall Tree Power sales underway
Fall Tree Power sales underway There are currently three Tree Power sales underway across the watershed, providing residents with affordable native tree species to plant on their property. Looking to green your yard, provide habitat for animals, and reduce home cooling costs? Take advantage of these great programs! Volunteers help hand out trees at the 2024 Perth South Tree Power Perth South Tree Power has 10 species [...]