UTRCA Tackles Dog-Strangling Vine, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed with Support from the Invasive Species Action Fund
UTRCA Tackles Dog-Strangling Vine, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed with Support from the Invasive Species Action Fund The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been tackling three invasive plants thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the Invasive Species Centre’s Invasive Species Action Fund. Dog Strangling Vine, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed grow throughout the watershed, but are a threat to native biodiversity and a hazard to the community. [...]
A Wet and Busy Summer for Integrated Watershed Management Staff
A Wet and Busy Summer for Integrated Watershed Management Staff The rain has certainly been keeping UTRCA stewardship field staff busy this summer as they perform routine water quality sampling for each major rain event that moves through the watershed. As rain falls and water levels rise, the concentration of nutrients flowing through watercourses, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, fluctuate with the addition of runoff from various sources, including [...]
Perth South Township Office Low Impact Development Project
Perth South Township Office Low Impact Development project The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) partnered with the Township of Perth South to implement a Low Impact Development (LID) project at the Township’s Office. The LID was designed to address the recurring flooding of the parking lot, septic bed, and sidewalk caused by stormwater runoff. The project included a 93 square metre rain garden and a 35 metre-long bioswale to [...]
Educational (and Fun!) Programming in the Conservation Areas
Educational (and Fun!) Programming in the Conservation Areas Did you know that each of the three UTRCA Conservation Areas (CAs) provide educational programming and events for kids and adults throughout the summer? Did you also know that we bring in outside organizations as well as our very own community education staff to hold events? Already this year, we have had the pleasure of welcoming several organizations including: Sciensational Sssnakes, [...]
Environment and Climate Change Canada Issues Severe Thunderstorm Watch (flood bulletin, July 26-28, 2023)
Environment and Climate Change Canada Issues Severe Thunderstorm Watch (flood bulletin, July 26-28, 2023) WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK Issued July 26, 2023 at 3:40 pm; valid until July 28, 2023 Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for London - Middlesex. The cold front that is moving into the area this evening is forecast to bring 25-35 mm of rain. Thunderstorm activity has [...]
Report Turtle and Snake Sightings Online!
Report Turtle and Snake Sightings Online! There is a new, quick way to report sightings of turtles and snakes in southwestern Ontario. Just submit a form online and it will go directly to Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Visit the UTRCA Turtle Reporting Form to report: turtle nest with eggs turtle nest without visible eggs injured turtles, and other concerns [...]
Events All Summer at Conservation Areas
Events all summer at Conservation Areas Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff are very excited for the events they have planned at Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs). See below for details including where pre-registration is required. Please note: A valid park permit is required for all events. Fanshawe Conservation Area Saturday, July 22: Wild Ontario 4:00 pm, Recreation Shelter Visit with some of Ontario’s native birds! [...]
Buffers along Water Courses Protect and Improve Water Quality
Buffers along Water Courses Protect and Improve Water Quality What are buffer strips? Buffer strips are permanently vegetated areas adjacent to open watercourses and wetlands, such as drainage channels, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. They are designed to help separate natural ecosystems from agriculture and developed areas to reduce the risk of contaminated runoff entering surface water. They may include trees, shrubs, grasses or wildflowers and can range from [...]
Landowners Discuss Stewardship Projects in Two New Videos
Landowners Discuss Stewardship Projects in Two New Videos UTRCA Stewardship Services have released two new videos showcasing the various benefits of constructed wetlands and field windbreaks across the agricultural landscape. Constructed Wetlands as Green Infrastructure UTRCA partnered with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the landowner to promote the creation of more constructed wetlands. This video highlights two constructed wetland designs in the Upper Thames River watershed and the role of [...]
Huron University College Scotia Bank Scholars
Huron University College Scotia Bank Scholars Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Community Education staff partnered for a second year with Huron’s Scotia Bank Scholars. It offers an intensive high school English credit to exceptional students from across the watershed who have been identified as facing barriers to post-secondary education. The theme for this year’s program was water. On the first day of the course, students visited Fanshawe Conservation [...]