Tracking Water Quality in Stratford (UTRCA weekly, November 11, 2022) Earlier this week, volunteers with the Avon River Environmental Association (AREA) collected water samples from the Avon River in Stratford. The group collects samples twice a year to be tested for E. coli as part of their efforts to improve the Avon’s water quality. The results are shared with the Upper Thames [...]

Let’s talk soil health! (UTRCA weekly, November 4, 2022) Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) stewardship staff recently met up with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Soil Team as well as local farmers, Jeremy O’Shea and Belinda Bowman, to discuss all things soil. The morning began at one of the water sampling stations in the upper Medway [...]

Installing LUNKERS for Fish Habitat on Medway Creek (UTRCA weekly, October 28, 2022) Approximately 12 metres of wooden fish habitat structures has been installed along a bend on Medway Creek near Thirteen Mile Road, in Middlesex Centre. The wooden cover structures, also referred to as Little Underwater Neighbourhood Keepers Encompassing Rheotactic Salmonids (LUNKERS), are set just beneath the water’s surface. They are [...]

More Celebrating Natural Connections events! (UTRCA weekly, October 21, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is hosting two more free Celebrating Natural Connections events in October! Celebrating Natural Connections commemorates the efforts of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrates the natural spaces that are so important for our physical and mental health. Local artists and municipalities are involved [...]

UTRCA Establishing New Prairie for Grassland Birds (UTRCA weekly, October 14, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has signed a 20 year agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to establish, maintain, and monitor 22.6 hectares of tallgrass prairie habitat for Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. These grassland birds are Species at Risk classified as threatened in Ontario. The new [...]

Two Celebrating Natural Connections events this month (UTRCA Weekly, October 7, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is hosting two more free Celebrating Natural Connections events this month! On Saturday, October 15, a family friendly event will be held at Hodges Pond. This day will include birds of prey shows by the Raptor Conservancy, species at risk display, guided hikes [...]