Bringing the Local Watershed into the Classroom  In March, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s Community Education Coordinator, Karlee Flear, had the opportunity to present to Teacher Candidates at Western University’s Faculty of Education. The session, Place-Based Environmental Education: Using the Local Landscape in your Classroom, explored how teachers can connect students to their local environment using Conservation Authority resources and data.  The talk focused on the vital role [...]

2024 Black Redhorse Suckers Monitoring Update   The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has wrapped up the final year of a special three-year project to locate and monitor Black Redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei) throughout the watershed. This native fish species is recognized as a Threatened Species at Risk (SAR), and understanding where it thrives helps us protect and restore crucial aquatic habitats in the Thames River.   Why Black Redhorse Matters    [...]

Congratulations to Gord and Lisa Ross on the 2024 Oxford Stewardship Award! Gord and Lisa Ross received the Oxford Stewardship Award in late March for their impressive efforts in planting over 2,500 trees in South-West Oxford. Their work includes creating field windbreaks and establishing new woodlots to enhance wildlife habitat. A special congratulation also goes out to watershed residents Debbra and Gord Eddy of East-Zorra Tavistock, who were nominated [...]

Updates to the Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Plan and Assessment Report under the Clean Water Act, 2006 – Public Consultation   The Source Water Protection Program focuses on safeguarding existing and future sources of drinking water for municipal systems within the Thames-Sydenham Region. This is accomplished through policies that are developed through a collaborative working group called the Source Protection Committee under the framework of the Clean Water Act, 2006.      [...]