Checking in on Kidneyshell Mussels Reintroduced to Medway Creek  There is some encouraging news for the endangered Kidneyshell mussels released into Medway Creek earlier this year as part of an ongoing effort to reintroduce a species that had disappeared from the Thames River.  DFO Research Scientist Todd Morris holds a Kidneyshell Mussel In July, hundreds of hatchery-raised Kidneyshell mussels were released into Medway Creek through a collaborative effort involving Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, University of Windsor's Healthy Headwater Lab, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, [...]

20 Years of the Clean Water Act  2026 marks 20 years since Ontario introduced the Clean Water Act, 2006, a major step forward in protecting our drinking water at its source.  The Clean Water Act was developed following the Walkerton tragedy in 2000, when contamination of the community's drinking water resulted in seven deaths and thousands of illnesses. The legislation established a stronger, preventative approach to protecting drinking water sources across Ontario.  Protecting water at the source  We often think of drinking water protection as something that happens at a water treatment plant. While treatment is an important part [...]

Fanshawe CA Mini Forest Community Science Project  This October, Western’s Masters of Environment and Sustainability (MES) class joined Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff for a community science project at Fanshawe Conservation Area (FCA).  Thanks to a grant from Nature London, UTRCA staff were able to begin developing a new community science program focusing on biodiversity in London and the broader Thames River watershed. This funding allowed for a pilot project to be completed this fall.  The day began with a tour of the Watershed Conservation Centre, which is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified [...]

Protecting Water Quality: Understanding Chloride in the Upper Thames   Keeping an eye on water quality is crucial for understanding and safeguarding the health of the Upper Thames River watershed. One major concern is chloride, a naturally occurring ion that can become elevated in freshwater due to human activities. Chloride is most commonly used in the form of road salt (Sodium chloride), but it can also be found in stormwater runoff, wastewater, and agricultural fertilizer. In this region, road salt is one of the most significant sources of chloride entering aquatic systems, particularly in urban areas because it is used [...]

Get to Know Your Creek Event  The Friends of Stoney Creek and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) welcomed 76 people to their annual Get to Know Your Creek event on October 4, bringing community members together to explore and care for their local environment.  Participants got their hands dirty weeding and planting a wildflower garden, helping to create valuable habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. They also ventured into Stoney Creek to explore the waterway and search for aquatic life, discovering plenty of benthic macroinvertebrates, including dragonfly and stonefly larvae, snails, and aquatic worms. The event was a [...]

London Forest Fest Celebrates Trees, Nature, and Community  The London Forest Fest brought the community together on September 26 at Westminster Ponds for a day of outdoor fun, environmental learning, and celebrating London’s urban forest.  Hosted during National Forest Week by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), the City of London, and ReForest London, the free event featured activities for all ages, including birds of prey shows, chainsaw carving demonstrations, guided hikes, and interactive displays hosted by local environmental organizations.  Visitors had many chances to discover more about the trees, wildlife, and natural spaces that make London such [...]