September 2021 flood event (UTRCA Weekly, November 26, 2021) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) watershed’s most significant flood event since before the pandemic, occurred as a result of 50-135+ mm of rain falling over a 24 hour period on September 22-23. With the watershed already saturated from rain earlier in the month, much of this rain was not absorbed into the ground, but rather ran off into [...]

Autumn Groundwater Well Sampling is Well Underway (UTRCA Weekly, November 19, 2021) October and November are a busy time for Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff who are collecting water samples and groundwater supply data at monitoring wells across the Upper Thames watershed. The UTRCA has 28 groundwater monitoring wells that are part of the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN), and additional monitoring wells with the City of [...]

Conservation Field Day at UTRCA’s Thorndale Demonstration Farm (UTRCA weekly, November 12, 2021) On Wednesday, November 3, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff hosted a Conservation Field Day for the public at the UTRCA’s Thorndale Demonstration Farm. This 58 acre farm demonstrates various best management practices (BMPs) and showcases how to improve soil health and local water quality. Brad Glasman, UTRCA Manager of Conservation Services, explained that, “The [...]

Climate Change Tree Trial Produces First Seed Crop (UTRCA weekly, November 5, 2021) The Oxford County Bur Oak Climate Change Trial is a partnership between the Forest Gene Conservation Association, Oxford County, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Located at the Salford Waste Management Facility, the site has Bur Oak trees from local sources, as well as from Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The project is testing the theory [...]

Perth Children’s Water Festival shifts online (UTRCA weekly, October 29, 2021) The Perth Children’s Water Festival Committee is excited to share virtual opportunities and resources with classes across Perth County. Linda Smith, Water Festival Coordinator at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), says, “We look forward to providing fun and interactive activities that will connect students to local organizations and educational materials and help them better understand the [...]

Nature Nearby Program launches this weekend (UTRCA weekly, October 22, 2021) Community Education staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) are launching a new Nature Nearby program! This free program creates opportunities for families to spend time in and with nature, in their local communities. Staff will lead Nature Nearby programming in various watershed locations on one Saturday per month throughout the fall season. The first sessions [...]