UTRCA at Heritage Fair and Family Literacy Day events!
UTRCA at Heritage Fair and Family Literacy Day Events! On Saturday, February 10, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Community Partnerships staff participated in Heritage London’s Heritage Fair, which celebrated London’s rich history, culture, and heritage through an exploration of “100 Objects and Hidden Gems.” Held at the London Public Library’s Central branch, the UTRCA booth highlighted one of London’s most treasured wetlands: Sifton Bog. Visitors to our booth [...]
River Resilience Rendezvous
River Resilience Rendezvous On Sunday, February 25, staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and the Lower Thames River Conservation Authority (LTVCA) participated in the River Resilience Rendezvous at the Oneida Community Centre in Oneida Nation of the Thames. This event was open to all members of the Oneida community, and staff from both authorities gave presentations and had booths with information on aquatic species, aquatic sampling [...]
Ecological Values and Agricultural Drains
Ecological Values and Agricultural Drains A "hats-off" to Erin Carroll, our Aquatic Biologist, for her part in the research article "Ecological Impacts of Management Practices in Agricultural Drain Networks: a Literature Synthesis". With over 80% of the Upper Thames River watershed being agricultural land-use, it is important that we better understand the relationship between our municipal drains and ecological resources, and the best management practices used in maintaining them. [...]
Adapting Surface Water Quality Monitoring for Climate Change
Adapting Surface Water Quality Monitoring for Climate Change Monitoring and reporting on watershed conditions have become increasingly important. Stressors such as climate change have been having greater negative impacts on natural resources, including water quality and, therefore, must be monitored. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been accepted into the Ontario Resource Centre for Climate Adaptation (ORCCA) Staff Capacity Program. The program provides direct capacity support [...]
New Spring Extended Season at UTRCA Conservation Areas Offers Plenty of Recreation Opportunities (media release, March 14, 2024)
New Spring Extended Season at UTRCA Conservation Areas Offers Plenty of Recreation Opportunities (media release March 13, 2024) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has added an extra four weeks of day-use access to Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas this spring. Effective Monday, April 1st, the Extended Season will run until Tuesday, April 30th. “We received such great feedback about the extended season this past fall, we wanted [...]
New Spring Extended Season at UTRCA Conservation Areas Offers Plenty of Recreation Opportunities (media release, March 14, 2024)
New Spring Extended Season at UTRCA Conservation Areas Offers Plenty of Recreation Opportunities (media release, March 14, 2024) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has added an extra four weeks of day-use access to Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas this spring. Effective Monday, April 1st, the Extended Season will run until Tuesday, April 30th. “We received such great feedback about the extended season this past fall, we wanted [...]
84 Classes Learn How to Stay Safe Around Waterways (media release, March 13, 2024)
84 Classes Learn How to Stay Safe Around Waterways (media release, March 13, 2024) Nearly 80,000 students have participated in the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA’s) River Safety program since its inception in 1998. This year, 84 classes participated in the program – the highest involvement since returning to in-person programming following the pandemic. The River Safety program teaches Grade 1, 2, and 3 students how to stay [...]
March Break Safety Reminder: Stay Away from Watercourses (March 8, 2024)
March Break Safety Reminder: Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, March 8, 2024) With many students out of school for the March Break, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds parents and guardians to keep children and pets away from streams, rivers, ponds, and ditches. Weather forecasts are calling for 20-40 mm of rain beginning Friday evening and continuing through Saturday. The UTRCA expects water levels in local streams and [...]
Forecast Calling for a Rainy Weekend (flood bulletin, March 8-12, 2024)
Forecast Calling for a Rainy Weekend Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety Issued March 8, 2024 at 9 am; valid until March 12, 2024 Weather forecasts are predicting a low pressure system will enter the region today, bringing with it 20–40 mm of rain beginning Friday evening through Saturday. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) does not expect significant flooding at this time; however, water levels are expected [...]
UTRCA Recognizes City of Woodstock Parks Department and Environmental Leadership Program with 2024 Conservation Awards (media release, Feb. 28, 2024)
February 28, 2024 For Immediate Release UTRCA Recognizes City of Woodstock Parks Department and Environmental Leadership Program with 2024 Conservation Awards The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) presented Conservation Awards to the City of Woodstock Parks Department and Daniel Vanlieshout, Environmental Leadership Program Coordinator at Catholic Central High School, at the UTRCA Annual General Meeting on February 27, 2024. Chris Kern and Reta Horan accepted the Community Award on [...]