Stratford Invasive Plant Plan Community Information Session (media release, October 3, 2024)
For Immediate Release October 3, 2024 Stratford Invasive Plant Plan Community Information Session The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and the City of Stratford are hosting a Community Information Session regarding the Stratford Invasive Plant Plan which was recently approved by City Council. Himalayan Balsam in TJ Dolan Natural Area The Stratford Invasive Plant Plan was developed by the Invasive Species Centre at the suggestion of the [...]
Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Monday, September 30, marks the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day was created to promote awareness of Canada's Residential School System, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #80 – to honour survivors, their families, and communities. Commemorating the tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is [...]
Fish Surveying in the Thames River
Fish Surveying in the Thames River Wet weather has made for a logistically challenging field season for our fish surveying team. The heavy rain has amounted to many days when the river water was too high and cloudy to work safely. Despite the challenging conditions, we have managed to survey a total of 69 sites in the Upper Thames River watershed, so far this year. White Sucker, Central Stoneroller, [...]
A Staff’s Perspective: SOARR Day
A Staff’s Perspective: SOARR Day On Saturday, August 17th, Scott Gillingwater and the Southern Ontario at Risk Reptiles (SOARR) team hosted an informational session on their Species at Risk program for friends and family at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s Watershed Conservation Centre (WCC). I attended and brought my partner along. We were really looking forward to seeing the team in action and speaking about this program. [...]
O-week Tree Planting with Huron University
O-week Tree Planting with Huron University On Saturday, Sept 7, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) partnered with Huron University’s Orientation Week to provide over 50 first- and upper-year Huron students with a native tree and shrub planting event on campus. Together, we planted 130 large trees that, once grown, will extend the Medway Heritage Forest system that borders the campus. Trees species included Maple (Autumn Blaze, Red, [...]
Hope and Action Climate Change Festival at Fanshawe Conservation Area
Hope and Action Climate Change Festival at Fanshawe Conservation Area Kick off the 2024 Green in the City event series with the Hope and Action Climate Change Festival on Saturday, September 21st from 10 am – 4 pm at Fanshawe Conservation Area! There will be something for everyone from interactive exhibits and activities by 10+ community organizations, live birds of prey shows (10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm), food [...]
Fanshawe Conservation Area Hosts filming for Netflix Series FUBAR
Fanshawe Conservation Area Hosts filming for Netflix Series FUBAR The months of July and August are always busy at Fanshawe Conservation Area (FCA), but in 2024, we received an especially unique request. We were approached by representatives from a Toronto area production company to see if Fanshawe Dam and Reservoir could be used for filming portions of Season 2 for the Netflix action-comedy series FUBAR. This series features actor [...]
Celebrate the Thames at Lions River Park in Thamesford
Celebrate the Thames at Lions River Park in Thamesford On Saturday, October 5 (rain date of October 6) from 10 am to 2 pm, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), in partnership with the Thamesford Lions and the Indigenous Solidarity Network, will host a free, family-friendly event in Lions River Park. In addition to celebrating and learning about the Thames River, the day will provide the community with [...]
Thorndale Demonstration Farm Tour
Thorndale Demonstration Farm Tour On September 5, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) stewardship staff hosted a public tour of the Thorndale Demonstration Farm, showcasing the suite of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented on the farm that are aimed at improving and protecting soil health and water quality. The tour highlighted innovative drainage practices including the contoured controlled drainage system, newly installed StormTech storm water retention system, and [...]
The Multi-Barrier Approach: What goes into keeping your drinking water clean
The Multi-Barrier Approach: What goes into keeping your drinking water clean In Ontario, most municipalities have the privilege of accessing safe and clean drinking water simply by turning on a tap. This is made possible by unique legislation designed to protect municipal drinking water from source to tap. A multi-barrier approach to ensuring water safety was introduced following the tragic Walkerton, Ontario incident in 2000. This approach aims to [...]