Upper Thames River remains in Level 1 Low Water Condition (low water update, August 26, 2022)
Upper Thames River remains in Level 1 Low Water Condition (low water update, August 26, 2022) The Low Water Response Team declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition in the Upper Thames River watershed on July 15, 2022. The following provides an update on precipitation, flows, and reservoir levels. Precipitation 30 Day: The Upper Thames River watershed received an average of 89 mm of precipitation between July 27 and [...]
Looking back: Spring Tree Planting (UTRCA weekly, August 26, 2022)
Looking back: Spring Tree Planting (UTRCA weekly, August 26, 2022) Despite two late snowstorms and several rainy days, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) spring tree planting crew persevered and planted approximately 25,000 trees on 50 private rural properties. In addition to our crew’s efforts, 80 landowners planted another 13,000 trees on their own to improve the health of their land. Planting projects included windbreaks, retiring highly erodible [...]
New Celebrating Natural Connections events kick off (UTRCA weekly, August 19, 2022)
New Celebrating Natural Connections events kick off (UTRCA weekly, August 19, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is joining with local community organizations and municipalities to host a series of 12 free “Celebrating Natural Connections” public events in natural spaces across the Upper Thames River watershed. The events include 10 public hikes and two virtual hikes, with activities, displays, and presentations. Local artists and municipalities are involved, [...]
Celebrating Natural Connections events kick off in Woodstock (media release, August 17, 2022)
Celebrating Natural Connections events kick off in Woodstock (media release, August 17, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) in partnership with the City of Woodstock is kicking off a series of free Celebrating Natural Connections events with a day at Burgess Park in Woodstock! This free event will include guided hikes led by the Woodstock Field Naturalists Club and UTRCA environmental education staff, wildlife demonstrations with Sciensssational [...]
UTRCA receives funding for Celebrating Natural Connections events (media release, August 16, 2022)
UTRCA Receives Funding for Celebrating Natural Connections Events (media release: August 16, 2022) With the support of municipalities and community organizations, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has obtained more than $230,000 in funding support from the Canadian Heritage Celebration and Commemoration Program Reopening Fund. The funds are being used to host a series of free “Celebrating Natural Connections” public events in natural spaces across the Upper Thames [...]
New Accessible Trail at Wildwood Conservation Area! (UTRCA weekly, August 12, 2022)
New Accessible Trail at Wildwood Conservation Area! (UTRCA weekly, August 12, 2022) Two years ago, forward-thinking Wildwood Conservation Area (CA) staff proposed creating an accessible trail within the park. This idea is now a reality, as the Green Trail has been overhauled with a surface that will allow barrier-free use. The Green Trail is a 1.1 kilometre loop through the Dr. Murray Forest east of Campground B, with parking [...]
Schoolyard Pollinator Gardens (UTRCA weekly, August 5, 2022)
Schoolyard Pollinator Gardens (UTRCA weekly, August 5, 2022) Fanshawe Community Education staff and Integrated Watershed Management unit staff have been busy as bees helping five Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) schools plant pollinator gardens in their schoolyards! Heeman’s, a local garden centre, grew and supplied a variety of beautiful native plants for the gardens including coneflowers, blanket flowers, bee balm, and stonecrop. The gardens will provide needed habitat [...]
UTRCA staff Monitoring for Spongy Moth (UTRCA weekly, July 29, 2022)
UTRCA staff Monitoring for Spongy Moth (UTRCA weekly, July 29, 2022) In mid-June, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff set up traps to monitor the population of Spongy Moth (formerly known as Gypsy Moth). Two traps were assembled in Fanshawe Conservation Area and four in Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) in London. The UTRCA is conducting the research in conjunction with the County of Middlesex and the Canadian Food [...]
Community Science in the summer (UTRCA Weekly, July 22, 2022)
Community Science in the summer (UTRCA Weekly, July 22, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) invites you to get outside this summer and take part in the Community Nature Project! This project encourages people to make observations about the animals and plants they see in the Upper Thames River watershed – including in their own backyard - and log them at iNaturalist Canada. iNaturalist is an on-line [...]
Upper Thames River in Level 1 Low Water Condition (low water update, July 18, 2022)
Upper Thames River in Level 1 Low Water Condition (low water update, July 18, 2022) 30 Day Precipitation The Upper Thames River watershed received an average of 17 mm of precipitation between June 15 and July 15 (about 22% of normal). The long term average for this period is 79 mm, measured at the London Airport and reported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). 90 Day Precipitation The [...]