The Village Sustainable Design Challenge
The Village Sustainable Design Challenge In 2023, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) accepted official ownership of what was formerly operated as the Children’s Safety Village, located within Fanshawe Conservation Area. Since then, the UTRCA has been assessing the property and exploring possibilities for future uses of the site. Over the past several months, approximately 350 students from 14 Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) schools have also been working on re-envisioning the Children’s Safety Village through “The Sustainable Design Project.” Spearheaded by Destreaming Classroom Support Teachers at the TVDSB, the Sustainable Design Project was created [...]
Subwatershed Celebrations a Success
Subwatershed Celebrations a Success This spring, we partnered with the Friends of Medway Creek (London and Middlesex Centre) and the Mill Pond Committee (Dorchester) to bring two celebrations to these communities. First up was Celebrate the Mill Pond on May 25 at Dreamland in Dorchester. Unfortunately, there was a lot of rain and thunderstorms that morning so we pushed the beginning of the event to 11:30 am when the weather cleared to a beautiful day. Despite the late start, over 100 people were in attendance and took part in many activities. The community really came together and put on [...]
Flooding Education at Public Outreach Events
Flooding Education at Public Outreach Events This spring, our Community Education team was out in full force, bringing flooding education to watershed residents at the City of London Emergency Preparedness Open House as well as the Western University Science Rendezvous. The Emergency Preparedness Open House had over 2,500 attendees, mostly young families, who came out to learn about the various organizations in London that help keep the community safe and what to do in the case of an emergency. The all-day Science Rendezvous festival had over 3,000 people in attendance at Western University Alumni Stadium. At both events, UTRCA [...]
Spring STEM Programming at Fanshawe Conservation Area
Spring STEM Programming at Fanshawe Conservation Area This year, UTRCA Community Education staff launched a new version of their flood-related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs for grade three and five students. The STEM programs were adapted into a full day field trip to Fanshawe Conservation Area (FCA) and included connections to the natural environment and the newly renovated classrooms in the former Children’s Safety Village. The grade five program included a guided tour across the top of Fanshawe Dam, highlighting forces and structural engineering which thrilled students and helped set the stage for hands-on learning about flood [...]
Enchanting Fireflies
Enchanting Fireflies While not everyone is a fan of insects, there is one insect that wins the hearts of many. Fireflies enrich our lives by lighting up the night sky with their magical twinkles. Their enchanting light display sparks curiosity and captures our imaginations, but behind all this drama, there are hidden secrets of romance, deception, and death. First off, fireflies, or lightning bugs, are not flies nor bugs - they are beetles. They belong to the family Lampyridae (which means to shine) and are best known for their ability to emit light. Like other beetles, they have a [...]
34,150 Trees Planted on Private Lands this Spring
34,150 Trees Planted on Private Lands this Spring The UTRCA forestry crew is in the middle of another busy but successful tree planting season with just over 42,500 trees planted and distributed. Forty six landowners took advantage of the UTRCA planting services to create windbreaks, buffers along water courses, and forests in the watershed. Once completed, our crew will have planted 34,150 trees and shrubs! In addition to staff efforts, another 118 landowners planted on their own to increase and restore natural ecosystems on their properties. The weather this spring was not always cooperative, making for interesting planting conditions. The crew [...]
North Thames River Canoe Route Brochure Updated in Time for Paddling Season
North Thames River Canoe Route Brochure Updated in Time for Paddling Season Just in time for paddling season, the updated North Thames River Canoe Route brochure is ready. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) produced the first canoe/paddling brochure in 2006, in response to requests for information from the public, and this is its first update. The 2024 brochure has updated maps, text, and web links. The brochure describes the 71 km route from St. Marys on the North Thames River, through London to the Forks, and to Delaware on the Thames River. Some new features include access points [...]
2024 Camping Season is Underway!
2024 Camping Season is Underway! On May 1, 2024 Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs) opened for overnight and seasonal camping! These three beautiful parks offer many wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities. Fanshawe CA, located just outside of London, offers 511 campsites and 30 km of hiking and biking trails. In Woodstock, Pittock CA offers 248 campsites and a nationally rated 18-hole disc golf course. Finally, Wildwood CA is located outside of St. Marys with 387 campsites including four back country sites. The camping season runs until October 20. “There is always a great sense of excitement for opening [...]
Stewardship Staff and Local Farmers Establish Field Trials and Demonstration Sites for Best Management Practices
Stewardship Staff and Local Farmers Establish Field Trials and Demonstration Sites for Best Management Practices Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Stewardship Services have wrapped up projects for the most recent funding cycle of the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (COA). Supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), this two-year funding agreement aimed to further our understanding of the effects of various agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on rural water quality and ecosystem health in the Upper Thames River watershed. This was just the latest of several COA agreements [...]
105 Trees Planted for Arbor Week
105 Trees Planted for Arbor Week Thamesford: Lions Park Riparian Buffer Zone Planting On April 22nd, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) supported a planting of 55 native trees and shrubs in Lions River Park with the Thamesford Lions and the Kintore-Thamesford Scouts. Tree species planted included Swamp White Oak, Burr Oak, Tulip, and Basswood, and shrubs included Elderberry, Nannyberry, Ninebark, and Red Osier Dogwood. The plantings were made possible through an Enbridge Fueling Futures Grant and an Oxford Community Fund Stevens Fund Grant. The plantings are part of an ongoing partnership with the Thamesford Lions to create [...]