10,000 Endangered Baby Turtles Released (media release, August 29, 2023)
August 29, 2023 For Immediate Release 10,000 Endangered Baby Turtles Released Snapping Turtle Hatchlings This year, approximately 10,000 endangered Ontario turtles will hatch in the Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) lab in London, Ontario. SOARR is one of Canada’s most successful reptile research and protection programs, incubating and releasing more endangered turtles than any other facility in the country. “This season has been one of our most [...]
An Exceptionally Wet July in the Watershed
An Exceptionally Wet July in the Watershed July 2023 was one of the wettest Julys on record in the Upper Thames River watershed. It proved challenging for Water Information Management staff to control flows and manage reservoir levels at and below the three flood control reservoirs at Pittock (Woodstock), Wildwood (St. Marys), and Fanshawe (London) Conservation Areas. Staff estimate that the North Thames River above the Forks watershed [...]
Mark Your Calendars for Tree Power!
Mark Your Calendars for Tree Power! Residents of Perth South and St. Marys are encouraged to mark their calendars for upcoming Tree Power programs. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has partnered with both municipalities to once again offer affordable trees to residents. Tree species that will be available include: Autumn Fantasy Maple Downy Serviceberry Native Red Maple Red Oak Sugar Maple Tulip Tree Tree sales [...]
UTRCA Library Park Pass Program Grows in Popularity
UTRCA Library Park Pass Program Grows in Popularity “Our community loves being able to borrow a free UTRCA Day Pass from their library. Demand for the passes continues to grow, with Londoners eager to explore these natural resources. It’s a great partnership for London Public Library,” shared Sarah Kasprzak, Integrated Library System Solutions Specialist with the London Public Library. Beginning in 2019, the UTRCA partnered with libraries in the [...]
UTRCA Tackles Dog-Strangling Vine, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed with Support from the Invasive Species Action Fund
UTRCA Tackles Dog-Strangling Vine, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed with Support from the Invasive Species Action Fund The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been tackling three invasive plants thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the Invasive Species Centre’s Invasive Species Action Fund. Dog Strangling Vine, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed grow throughout the watershed, but are a threat to native biodiversity and a hazard to the community. [...]
A Wet and Busy Summer for Integrated Watershed Management Staff
A Wet and Busy Summer for Integrated Watershed Management Staff The rain has certainly been keeping UTRCA stewardship field staff busy this summer as they perform routine water quality sampling for each major rain event that moves through the watershed. As rain falls and water levels rise, the concentration of nutrients flowing through watercourses, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, fluctuate with the addition of runoff from various sources, including [...]
Perth South Township Office Low Impact Development Project
Perth South Township Office Low Impact Development project The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) partnered with the Township of Perth South to implement a Low Impact Development (LID) project at the Township’s Office. The LID was designed to address the recurring flooding of the parking lot, septic bed, and sidewalk caused by stormwater runoff. The project included a 93 square metre rain garden and a 35 metre-long bioswale to [...]
Educational (and Fun!) Programming in the Conservation Areas
Educational (and Fun!) Programming in the Conservation Areas Did you know that each of the three UTRCA Conservation Areas (CAs) provide educational programming and events for kids and adults throughout the summer? Did you also know that we bring in outside organizations as well as our very own community education staff to hold events? Already this year, we have had the pleasure of welcoming several organizations including: Sciensational Sssnakes, [...]
Environment and Climate Change Canada Issues Severe Thunderstorm Watch (flood bulletin, July 26-28, 2023)
Environment and Climate Change Canada Issues Severe Thunderstorm Watch (flood bulletin, July 26-28, 2023) WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK Issued July 26, 2023 at 3:40 pm; valid until July 28, 2023 Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for London - Middlesex. The cold front that is moving into the area this evening is forecast to bring 25-35 mm of rain. Thunderstorm activity has [...]
Report Turtle and Snake Sightings Online!
Report Turtle and Snake Sightings Online! There is a new, quick way to report sightings of turtles and snakes in southwestern Ontario. Just submit a form online and it will go directly to Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Visit the UTRCA Turtle Reporting Form to report: turtle nest with eggs turtle nest without visible eggs injured turtles, and other concerns [...]