Subwatershed Celebrations a Success
Subwatershed Celebrations a Success This spring, we partnered with the Friends of Medway Creek (London and Middlesex Centre) and the Mill Pond Committee (Dorchester) to bring two celebrations to these communities. First up was Celebrate the Mill Pond on May 25 at Dreamland in Dorchester. Unfortunately, there was a lot of rain and thunderstorms that morning so we pushed the beginning of the event to 11:30 am when the [...]
Flooding Education at Public Outreach Events
Flooding Education at Public Outreach Events This spring, our Community Education team was out in full force, bringing flooding education to watershed residents at the City of London Emergency Preparedness Open House as well as the Western University Science Rendezvous. The Emergency Preparedness Open House had over 2,500 attendees, mostly young families, who came out to learn about the various organizations in London that help keep the community safe [...]
Spring STEM Programming at Fanshawe Conservation Area
Spring STEM Programming at Fanshawe Conservation Area This year, UTRCA Community Education staff launched a new version of their flood-related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs for grade three and five students. The STEM programs were adapted into a full day field trip to Fanshawe Conservation Area (FCA) and included connections to the natural environment and the newly renovated classrooms in the former Children’s Safety Village. The grade [...]
Enchanting Fireflies
Enchanting Fireflies While not everyone is a fan of insects, there is one insect that wins the hearts of many. Fireflies enrich our lives by lighting up the night sky with their magical twinkles. Their enchanting light display sparks curiosity and captures our imaginations, but behind all this drama, there are hidden secrets of romance, deception, and death. First off, fireflies, or lightning bugs, are not flies nor [...]
Grade 7 and 8 GREEN Leaders Present Sustainability Initiatives to Expert Panel at Student Summit (media release, June 4, 2024)
For Immediate Release June 3, 2024 Grade 7 and 8 GREEN Leaders Present Sustainability Initiatives to Expert Panel at Student Summit 2024 is the first year that student GREEN Leaders will gather to present their solutions for environmental problems to a panel of local experts. Over 400 grade 7 and 8 students from the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) are participating [...]
UTRCA Recognizes William Lyons, Species at Risk Volunteer, with Kayla Berger Stewardship Award (media release, May 29, 2024)
For Immediate Release May 29th, 2024 UTRCA Recognizes William Lyons, Species at Risk Volunteer, with Kayla Berger Stewardship Award The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) presented the Kayla Berger Stewardship Award to William Lyons at a Board of Directors meeting on May 28, 2024. The Kayla Berger Stewardship Award is presented to a watershed resident with passion for environmental conservation who has demonstrated exceptional stewardship in protecting the [...]
Endangered Snail Species Discovered in the Upper Thames River Watershed (media release, May 21, 2024)
For Immediate Release May 21st, 2024 Endangered Snail Species Discovered in the Upper Thames River Watershed Live Shagreen (Inflectarius inflectus) snails have been discovered at Snake Woods Nature Preserve near Woodstock by Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. The observation was first made in April 2023, corrected a year later via iNaturalist, and subsequently verified by two mollusk experts that specialize in [...]
34,150 Trees Planted on Private Lands this Spring
34,150 Trees Planted on Private Lands this Spring The UTRCA forestry crew is in the middle of another busy but successful tree planting season with just over 42,500 trees planted and distributed. Forty six landowners took advantage of the UTRCA planting services to create windbreaks, buffers along water courses, and forests in the watershed. Once completed, our crew will have planted 34,150 trees and shrubs! In addition to staff efforts, [...]
North Thames River Canoe Route Brochure Updated in Time for Paddling Season
North Thames River Canoe Route Brochure Updated in Time for Paddling Season Just in time for paddling season, the updated North Thames River Canoe Route brochure is ready. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) produced the first canoe/paddling brochure in 2006, in response to requests for information from the public, and this is its first update. The 2024 brochure has updated maps, text, and web links. The brochure describes [...]
2024 Camping Season is Underway!
2024 Camping Season is Underway! On May 1, 2024 Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs) opened for overnight and seasonal camping! These three beautiful parks offer many wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities. Fanshawe CA, located just outside of London, offers 511 campsites and 30 km of hiking and biking trails. In Woodstock, Pittock CA offers 248 campsites and a nationally rated 18-hole disc golf course. Finally, Wildwood CA is [...]