Province Misses Chance to Respond to Ontarians’ Concerns about the Environment (media release, December 8, 2020)
Province Misses Chance to Respond to Ontarians’ Concerns about the Environment (media release, December 8, 2020) NEWMARKET, December 8, 2020 - The Province just missed a chance to show they are listening to Ontarians who care about their environment. Ontario’s Budget Measures Act (Bill 229) was passed today with Schedule 6 intact, and in fact, bolstered with the addition of Minister Zoning Orders which could force a conservation authority to [...]
Changes Fall Short of Addressing Conservation Authorities’ Concerns (media release, December 5, 2020)
Changes Fall Short of Addressing Conservation Authorities’ Concerns (media release, December 5, 2020) Conservation Ontario media release, NEWMARKET December 5, 2020 - New changes made to the Schedule 6 amendments proposed for conservation authorities (CAs) fall well short of addressing their concerns and even introduce new additions which create more delays and costs, as well as allow the Minister to disregard CA science-based decision-making for development. “We have to continue to [...]
Upper Thames River Watershed returns to Normal Water Condition (low water update, November 18, 2020)
Upper Thames River Watershed returns to Normal Water Condition (low water update, November 18, 2020) Staff have reviewed the low water precipitation and stream flow criteria for the Upper Thames River watershed. Based on rainfall over the past three months as well as monthly stream flow, the watershed is no longer in a low water condition. It is recommended, therefore, that the watershed status moves out of the Level [...]
Supporting Endangered Turtle Research during Pandemic (media release, November 18, 2020)
Supporting Endangered Turtle Research during Pandemic (media release, November 18, 2020) Nov 18, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to announce that more than 4,000 endangered Spiny Softshell turtle hatchlings were released this year by the UTRCA Turtle Team! The hatchlings emerged from eggs that had been collected from sites along the Thames River and incubated at the UTRCA Watershed Conservation Centre (WCC). Thanks to [...]
New Cover Crop Funding Available! (media release, October 7, 2020)
October 7, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to announce that new funding is available to encourage farmers to use cover crops. The funding is available through the Clean Water Program for farms throughout the Upper Thames River watershed. The Clean Water Program has been providing technical assistance and financial incentives to improve and protect rural water quality since 2001. “Soil erosion and nutrient runoff [...]
Opening Soon! Wildwood Nature School (media release, September 29, 2020)
September 29, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is excited to launch the Wildwood Nature School program at Wildwood Conservation Area for fall 2020! This individually registered program is designed to provide safe, nature-based outdoor learning through play and exploration. We consulted parents, caregivers, and professional organizations in developing this program and we are pleased to bring this type of programming to our area. Participants will find that every trip [...]
Upper Thames River Watershed moves to Level 1 Low Water Conditions (low water update, July 14, 2020)
Upper Thames River Watershed moves to Level 1 Low Water Conditions (low water update, July 14, 2020) One Month Precipitation The Upper Thames River watershed received an average of 53 mm of precipitation in June (about 67% of normal), ranging from 40 mm in Stratford, to 80 mm in London. The long term average for June is 80 mm, measured at the London Airport and reported by ECCC. Three [...]
Nightly Camping Opening Soon! (media release, June 16, 2020)
June 16, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is opening nightly camping at Fanshawe Conservation Area (London) on June 29, and at Pittock Conservation Area (Woodstock) and Wildwood Conservation Area (St. Marys) on July 6. “We are pleased to announce that nightly camping is opening soon,” said Jennifer Howley, UTRCA Conservation Areas Manager. “We need people to continue to respect physical distancing and group size maximums, to [...]
Gypsy Moth and Euonymus Webworm Populations Explode (media release, June 12, 2020)
June 12, 2020 - During the past week, forestry staff at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) have received many inquiries about population explosions of European Gypsy Moth and Euonymus Webworm. Both species of caterpillars can quickly defoliate trees and shrubs. Defoliation by these invasive species in successive years can be very stressful on trees, making them susceptible to other stressors. "We want to alert people to these non-native [...]
More Services Opening at UTRCA Conservation Areas (media release, June 11, 2020)
June 11, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is opening day use washrooms at Fanshawe Conservation Area (London) on June 12 and Pittock Conservation Area (Woodstock) on June 15. Backcountry camping at Wildwood Conservation Area (St. Marys) will open June 22. UTRCA staff members are reaching out to local health units and other campground staff to discuss safe protocols for opening overnight camping. The UTRCA will give [...]