New UTRCA Chair and Vice-chair (media release, February 23, 2021)
New UTRCA Chair and Vice-chair (media release, February 23, 2021) Feb 23, 2021 – The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to announce the election results for the 2021 Chair and Vice-chair of the Board of Directors. The UTRCA’s new Chair is Councillor Alan Dale, who represents the Townships of Norwich and South-West Oxford. Alan served on municipal council from 1994 to 2006 and on the Board of the [...]
Meet the new UTRCA Vice-Chair (weekly blog, February 19, 2021)
Meet the new UTRCA Vice-Chair (weekly blog, February 19, 2021) Feb 19, 2021 - The UTRCA Board of Directors held elections at its January 2021 meeting. The new Vice-Chair is Councillor Brian Petrie, who represents the Town of Ingersoll. Brian was born and raised in Ingersoll where he lives with his wife Brianna. He became involved in municipal politics in 2010 and was first elected to serve on Ingersoll Council [...]
Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course at Wildwood Conservation Area (media release, February 16, 2021)
Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course at Wildwood Conservation Area (media release, February 16, 2021) Feb 16, 2021 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to bring the Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course to Wildwood Conservation Area, in partnership with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada and Forest School Canada. “This is a year-long, self-directed professional development course for people interested in becoming certified Forest [...]
Meet the new UTRCA Chair (UTRCA Weekly, February 11, 2021)
Meet the new UTRCA Chair (UTRCA Weekly, February 11, 2021) Feb 11, 2021 - The UTRCA Board of Directors annual elections were held at the January 26th meeting. Our new Chair is Councillor Alan Dale, who represents the Townships of Norwich and South-West Oxford. We asked Alan a few questions about his new role. Why did you join the UTRCA Board of Directors? I was on municipal council from 1994 [...]
Another Accessibility and Restoration Project completed along Lake Victoria! (media release, February 5, 2021)
Another Accessibility and Restoration Project completed along Lake Victoria! (media release, February 5, 2021) Feb 5, 2021 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) will complete another section of shoreline improvement today on the north shore of Lake Victoria, between Waterloo and James Streets. This year’s project includes an accessible canoe/kayak launch for paddlers! Improved erosion protection and trail accessibility continue as important features of this year’s project as [...]
Fish Die-off in the Thames River (media release, February 4, 2021)
Fish Die-off in the Thames River (media release, February 4, 2021) London, ON - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) was recently alerted to a large die-off of fish in the Thames River in London. The fish are Gizzard Shad, a species that is prone to large wintertime die-offs. “The most likely cause of the die-off is a combination of stressful winter conditions, high numbers of fish, and the presence of [...]
Cover Crop Research (UTRCA Weekly, February 1, 2021)
Cover Crop Research (UTRCA Weekly, February 1, 2021) The UTRCA’s Conservation Services staff work with farmers across the watershed to help them implement a variety of agricultural best management practices. Since 2015, we’ve been working on a cover crop research project with approximately 20 landowners in the upper Medway Creek watershed, north of London. Thanks to new funding, we’ve been able to expand these efforts [...]
Beware of Unstable Ice Conditions (media release, January 21, 2021)
Beware of Unstable Ice Conditions (media release, January 21, 2021) Jan 21, 2021 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and municipal emergency response agencies are concerned about the increased public use of frozen reservoirs and ponds for activities such as skating and ice fishing. The UTRCA reminds the public that going onto frozen water bodies for recreational activities is hazardous. With schools closed and many families at home, [...]
Conservation Authority’s GM Announces Retirement (media release, January 20, 2021)
Conservation Authority’s GM Announces Retirement (media release, January 20, 2021) Jan 20, 2021 - After more than 17 years as General Manager of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), Ian Wilcox has announced that he will be retiring this spring. Wilcox has worked for the UTRCA for more than 30 years, starting with a summer job at Wildwood Conservation Area in 1985. He held a variety of other positions [...]
Visiting UTRCA Conservation Areas during the Holidays – Please Stay Safe (media release, December 21, 2020)
Dec 21, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds the public that Fanshawe (London), Wildwood (St. Marys), and Pittock (Woodstock) Conservation Areas continue to be available for walking and nature viewing. Spending time in nature can reduce stress and help you feel more energized. Please be respectful of nature and other visitors at all times. The UTRCA also reminds everyone that waterways pose a serious safety hazard. River banks [...]