Wavyrayed Lampmussel Spotting!   While monitoring fish this July, we noticed something interesting on the river bottom: a Wavyrayed Lampmussel attempting to lure a bass! Freshwater mussels have an intriguing lifecycle which includes a larval stage that parasitizes (i.e. infests or lives on) fish. The larval mussel must attach to the gills of a specific fish species to attain nutrition and to hitch a ride upstream. This is where the lure comes in: the adult female Wavyrayed Lampmussel has modified tissue that resembles a small fish. When its host fish, the Smallmouth Bass, gets close, the female mussel expels her [...]

Conservation Area Summer Events are Underway!  Community Education staff have hosted three events at Fanshawe Conservation Area (CA) so far this summer! The season was kicked off with a Bug Safari event where participants got to explore the meadow for all kinds of cool critters! Following the theme of bugs, on July 4th an evening Firefly Walk was held that had participants in awe while they walked down the twinkling trail. As well, on July 11th staff led a highly anticipated Owl Prowl event, where participants learned all about local owls and practiced different calls. In total, there were [...]

Huron University College Scotiabank Scholars 2024  Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Community Education staff partnered with Huron’s Scotiabank Scholars for a third year, offering an intensive high school English credit and breaking down barriers for students from across the watershed. This year, the theme was water. On the first day of the course, students visited Fanshawe Conservation Area where they learned about the UTRCA’s core missions and challenges. The class enjoyed a tour of the Watershed Conservation Centre and Fanshawe Dam before participating in activities that combined conservation science with the art of communicating that knowledge to the [...]

Celebrating the Summer and Each Other at the Pittock Conservation Area Mid-season BBQ On Monday, July 15, the staff at Pittock Conservation Area (PCA) were treated to a BBQ! Head chefs, Steven Musclow and Elijah Wilson, cooked up plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs. Side salads and summer watermelon were also on the table!   During the BBQ, the PCA staff were thanked for their hard work this summer. Without our incredible staff, operating a campground can be difficult. Their dedication and positive relationships with campers and one another have been amazing! Three awards were also handed out during [...]

Water Wednesdays to Help Source Water Protection  Conservation Ontario continues to support the public’s awareness of one of Ontario’s flagship programs, Drinking Water Source Protection (DWSP), by implementing a Water Wednesdays summer social media campaign. This campaign highlights rivers, agricultural practices, and aims to build public knowledge of the program. It includes seven social media posts, shared weekly on Water Wednesdays! Follow along on our Source Protection Region's Facebook page here and LinkedIn page here. Through these pages you’ll learn about where your drinking water comes from and how local municipal drinking water sources are protected. For example, drinking water [...]

Thamesford Lions' Retro Rides and Community Vibes  On June 15th, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Partnerships and Education Staff participated in the Thamesford Lions’ Retro Rides and Community Vibes event, which was held in Lions South Park in Thamesford. This family-friendly event featured over 100 vintage and antique cars, live entertainment and games, and community partner booths and tents. The event attracted well over 500 attendees, many of whom stopped by the UTRCA tent to see the flood table simulator, learn about the Watershed Report Cards, and experience the “touch table” which includes, turtle shells, deer antlers, and [...]

Brightly Coloured Fishes  Fish surveys revealed some attractive spawning fish in the Upper Thames River watershed this spring.  Of note, a Striped Shiner caught in late May in Stoney Creek in London was one of the most brightly coloured specimens our crew had ever seen! In the Spring, these male Shiners dig nests into gravel. Males have bumps, called nuptial tubercles, on their noses used to construct nests of small stones.   Striped Shiner found in Stoney Creek, London, May 24, 2024 Rosyface Shiner is another fish caught in spawning colours.  These fish spawn in late spring [...]