Stream of Dreams Success in 2022 (UTRCA weekly, May 6, 2022) After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Community Education staff at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) were excited to run the Stream of Dreams program in schools once again. With support from the Thames Valley District School Board, UTRCA staff taught more than 3,000 students at seven schools how to protect our waterways. By the end [...]

Friends of Stoney Creek celebrates 30 years (UTRCA weekly, April 29, 2022) The Friends of Stoney Creek volunteer committee continues its amazing work in the Stoney Creek watershed and is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022. The public is invited to take part in this year’s events to celebrate Stoney Creek and increase awareness of this community treasure: Community Pollinator Garden Planting on May 28 Beginner Birding Hike on [...]

You can help to protect drinking water (UTRCA Weekly, April 22, 2022) Do you know how you can help protect sources of drinking water? A social media campaign is underway to raise awareness of actions people can take to help protect sources of drinking water. The campaign is focusing on tips for spring cleaning (including what to do with hazardous waste material), why it’s important to test your well [...]

Thames River Clean Up returns! (UTRCA weekly, April 14, 2022) After a two-year break due to COVID-19, the Thames River Clean Up is set to resume for 2022! Everyone is encouraged to join in on Saturday, April 23 to clean up along streams and rivers throughout the Thames watershed. Todd Sleeper, Coordinator of the Thames River Clean Up, says, “The Friends of the Thames invite everyone to participate in [...]

A Shared Waters Approach for the Thames River (Deshkan Ziibi) (UTRCA weekly, April 8, 2022) For more than a decade, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been collaborating in a long-term initiative called the Thames River Clear Water Revival (TRCWR). This partnership brings together Indigenous peoples, three levels of government, two local conservation authorities, and the local community. The initiative’s shared goal is a healthy and vital [...]

Trees for Bill: A Growing Legacy (UTRCA weekly, April 1, 2022) More than 10 years ago, the late Bill Kunz initiated a new tree planting program through his work with London Hydro. Bill brought his vision to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and the Tree Power London program was born. Bill helped build the program, with the slogan, “Harness the power of trees by planting a native [...]

Community Science Volunteer Spotlight: Jim and Margaret Rule (UTRCA Weekly, March 25, 2022) This year, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) will be adding 15 more rain gauges to the Community Precipitation Monitoring Project, thanks to funding from the TD Friends of the Environment Fund. During the pilot year in 2021, the UTRCA worked with 12 landowners to measure and record daily precipitation using the online Community Collaborative [...]