August 21, 2019 - The extreme weather in 2019 has kept the researchers working with endangered Spiny Softshell Turtles in the Thames watershed on high alert. "The abnormally cool weather in April and May resulted in a two week delay in nesting, which was our latest season on record. Then the summer’s extreme heat and storms made recovery efforts challenging," said Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist at the Upper [...]

August 20, 2019 - In a surprise letter issued Friday evening, August 16, 2019, Mr. Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), shocked Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) officials by suggesting that the Conservation Authority begin to "wind down" all programs, except for flood control, drinking water source protection, and management of Authority-owned lands. The letter goes on to note that the Conservation Authority cannot replace flood [...]

August 14, 2019 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to announce that a new accessible dock has been installed at Wildwood Conservation Area (CA). "This new EZ Launch® system provides a very stable, safe way to enter and exit your kayak or canoe at Wildwood Reservoir," said Paul Switzer, Superintendent, Wildwood CA. "People of all ages are enjoying and appreciating this new feature." The new accessible [...]

August 13, 2019 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to announce that Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) is providing funding for community partnership projects in Woodstock. "We are very pleased to accept $60,000 from TMMC Woodstock for environmental projects with students and other community members," explained Brad Hertner, Community Partnership Specialist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. "We plan to use the funds to expand [...]

July 9, 2019: The Glen Cairn Community Partners are hosting Adelaide Business in Bloom, a friendly competition to beautify the southern section of Adelaide Street! "The goal of Adelaide Business in Bloom is to inspire the Glen Cairn community to make their neighbourhood and streetscape more visually appealing and environmentally friendly," explained Jessica Penz, Community Partnership Specialist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Who: Glen Cairn Community Partners [...]

June 13, 2019 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is partnering with the Stratford Police for lake patrols on Wildwood Reservoir. The lake patrol at Wildwood Conservation Area helps to ensure a safe and relaxing outdoor experience for all visitors. Media representatives are invited to join us on Thursday, June 20th, 10:00 am, at Wildwood Conservation Area for a boat tour of Wildwood Reservoir and an opportunity to [...]

June 4, 2019 - The 2019 turtle nesting season has begun and that means encounters with turtles along roads, in yards and along driveways. Currently, seven of Ontario's eight turtle species are listed as at risk. Even our most common species, the Midland Painted Turtle, is experiencing declines in some areas. Here are a few easy ways you can participate in turtle recovery and be part of a growing community [...]

May 27, 2019 - The UTRCA is working with the Forest Gene Conservation Association (FGCA) to preserve endangered native butternut trees. This species is threatened by butternut canker, a fungal disease, and protected under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. We are guided by the National Recovery Strategy for Butternut and continually fundraise to implement its recovery recommendations. "Archiving is a lengthy process that begins with finding butternut trees that are tolerating [...]

May 27, 2019, Stratford, ON - The UTRCA recently repaired shoreline erosion and improved the accessibility of the walking trail on the north shore of Lake Victoria, between Waterloo and James Streets. The lake shoreline was slumping due to wave action, making the trail inaccessible for those with mobility challenges. Approximately two hundred feet of shoreline has now been stabilized through the construction of a timber cribwall with underwater rock [...]