Lions River Park Improvements Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) recently completed work on the second phase of a project in Lions River Park in Thamesford. It includes the construction of multiple viewing areas and fishing steps that will give community members and anglers access to the middle branch of the Thames River, which stretches about 500 meters along the western border of the park. Previously, foot traffic along the river’s edge had degraded the riverbank and contributed to erosion and sedimentation in the watercourse. Working with the Thamesford Lions and Zorra Township, UTRCA staff designed a plan for the [...]

Meet the Northern Cardinal  Affectionately known as redbird, the Northern Cardinal is often featured in white winter scenes because of their splash of colour. The male’s conspicuous red plumage, crested head, and warbling song make it one of the most identifiable and beloved birds in Ontario. Even the muted brown female has hints of warm, rosy accents. The bright crimson colour is thought to help attract a mate. Scientists hypothesize that females are more attracted to males with the brightest feathers because they feel they are superior. In fact, studies indicate that the brighter the plumage, the healthier and [...]

The annual UTRCA Landowners Workshop is coming to St.Marys!  Join the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) in St. Marys for an engaging evening focused on soil health, water quality, and sustainable farming. Hear from expert speakers on best management practices, conservation drainage, and how land stewardship supports aquatic life. Plus, learn about funding opportunities available to landowners!  Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025  Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM  Location: St. Marys Pyramid Recreation Centre (317 James Street) in the Friendship Hall  Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and learn about available funding programs!  Reserve your spot [...]

Great Lakes Education Workshop Builds on Retrospective Report Findings  On Wednesday, February 12th, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) hosted a Great Lakes Education Workshop as part of a larger project funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). This project focused on a retrospective review of the Great Lakes Student Conferences, which MECP funded and supported across the province over the past decade.  As part of the retrospective, UTRCA education staff interviewed 31 participants, including conservation authority staff, environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO)s, teachers, and school board leads. They also analyzed final reports to gather [...]

Seedy Saturdays in London and Woodstock  Spring is in the air and on the land! As folks begin to plan their gardens and start their seeds, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Partnerships and Education staff participated in Seedy Saturday events on March 1st and 8th in London and Woodstock, respectively. In London, 1000 + visitors took in the over 60 exhibition booths at the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre. UTRCA staff used a flood plain simulator to demonstrate how rain gardens and other forms of low impact development (LID) can help with flood control while bolstering native plant [...]

Source Water at The Farm Show: Protect Your Private Drinking Water!  From March 5th to 7th, the Thames Sydenham and Region Source Protection Region was represented at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's booth at the London Farm Show. We provided Public Health Ontario drinking water sample bottles for the public to test their private drinking water wells.  If you own a private well, check out Public Health Ontario's website for information on where you can get free sample bottles to test your drinking water for free:   Public Health Ontario provides testing for the presence of bacterial indicators of [...]

London Farm Show 2025 The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) hosted a booth at the London Farm Show from March 5th-7th. This year’s booth was themed around phosphorus reduction, showcasing best management practices to help prevent losses in phosphorus. Topics included water quality monitoring, cover crops, reduced tillage, and the restoration of marginal lands. Forestry staff from the UTRCA and other southwestern Ontario Conservation Authorities also hosted a booth at the Farm Show, promoting tree planting programs and forestry management.  The London Farm Show is the largest indoor farm show in Eastern Canada, with over 15,000 visitors in [...]