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 [...]
Invasive Species Awareness Week: February 26 – March 3, 2024
Invasive Species Awareness Week: February 26 - March 3, 2024 Next to habitat loss, the spread of non-native, invasive species is one of the top problems causing environmental decline in our land and water ecosystems. Whether they are invasive plants, tree pests, fish, mussels, animals, or insects, they all threaten native species. There are many introduced or non-native species that have been brought into Ontario from around the world, [...]
12 Years of Tree Power London! (media release, February 21, 2024)
For Immediate Release February 21, 2024 12 Years of Tree Power London! London Hydro and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) have once again partnered together for the twelfth year of making native trees available and affordable for residents of London! The London Hydro Tree Power program launched in 2012 and has been so well received it has become an annual program as well as inspiring Tree Powers [...]
Tree Power program returns to Stratford! (media release, February 21, 2024)
Tree Power program returns to Stratford! Tree planting season may seem a long way off but Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s spring Tree Power programs are around the corner! This popular program provides watershed residents with affordable native trees through partnerships with our municipalities and sponsors. The Festival Hydro Tree Power returns to Stratford with tree pick up Saturday, April 13. Eight different species will be available: Autumn [...]
Volunteers Needed for Thames River Clean Up
Volunteers Needed for Thames River Cleanup On Saturday, April 21, Thames River Cleanup (TRC) will celebrate 25 years of environmental stewardship by holding Earth Day Weekend cleanups in communities within London and across the Thames River watershed. Most cleanups will take place on April 20; however, some cleanups will take place in the weeks leading up to and following Earth Day. The TRC needs volunteers, especially cleanup Site Coordinators. Site [...]
Rural Landowners Annual Workshop – Embro Edition
Rural Landowners Annual Workshop – Embro Edition The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is excited to be hosting this year's Rural Landowner Workshop at the Embro Community Centre on March 21 from 7 to 9 pm. It will be an informative evening with presentations by both UTRCA staff and community members about ongoing conservation practices. There will be a wide range of topics discussed promoting Best Management Practices (BMPs), [...]
Navigating Icy Roads and Road Salt for Drinking Water Health
Navigating Icy Roads and Road Salt for Drinking Water Health Spring is just around the corner, but snow and ice are still in the forecast and, with them, icy sidewalks and roads. Salt is commonly used to melt ice and reduce the risk created by icy conditions, but it also poses a significant threat to water quality. It's important to ensure our use of salt doesn’t jeopardize the health [...]
Spring 2024 Tree Power sales open soon
Spring 2024 Tree Power sales open soon Tree planting season may seem a long way off but Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) spring Tree Power programs are around the corner! This popular program provides watershed residents with affordable native hardwood trees through partnerships with our municipalities and sponsors. UTRCA has partnered with the Municipality of West Perth to host the first West Perth Tree Power in 2024! West Perth [...]