Tree flowering time is here!
Tree flowering time is here! Spring is here and that means flowering season for most of our native trees and shrubs. While all trees and shrubs produce flowers with male and female parts, not all produce showy blossoms with petals and sepals that catch our eyes. Some species hold their male and female parts in the same flower (called perfect flowers), others have their male parts (pollen flowers) and female parts (seed flowers) on different trees (e.g., ashes and willows) or different parts of the same tree (e.g., oaks and birches). Generally, plants are either insect pollinated or wind [...]
Spring Cleaning and Safe Drinking Water
Spring Cleaning and Safe Drinking Water As sunny days and warmer temperatures are on the rise, it's spring cleaning time! While it is great to get your house clean, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) wants to remind everyone to keep the drinking water in the UTRCA’s Source Protection Area clean too. Make sure to choose non-toxic chemicals and dispose of hazardous chemicals at your municipality's hazardous waste disposal depot. Take extra precaution that any hazardous chemicals do not end up going down the drain. Some household products must be stored and handled very carefully, as they may [...]
Tree Power Sales Continue
Tree Power sales continue Tree Power programs are currently underway in three municipalities in the watershed. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is running the program in London, Stratford and West Perth and offering $25 trees to residents living in those municipalities. Details about current tree sales are: The first West Perth Tree Power in partnership with the Municipality! Tree pick up will be Saturday, April 6. Order here: West Perth Tree Power London Hydro Tree Power tree pick up is on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6. Order here: London Hydro Tree Power Festival Hydro Tree Power [...]
UTRCA Board 2024 Elections
UTRCA Board 2024 Elections The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Board of Directors held this year’s elections at its meeting on January 30. Brian Petrie, Mayor of Ingersoll, returns for a second year as Board Chair. After his election, Petrie shared, “I would like to thank my fellow Board Members for giving me this opportunity to serve as Chair for another year. I am extremely proud to be able to work with this great group of individuals to provide our amazing staff with the tools needed to reach the goals of the Authority and our watershed partners! [...]
New Spring Extended Season at Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas
New Spring Extended Season at Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas Based on the success of the extended season in fall 2023, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has added an extra four weeks of day-use access to Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs) this spring. Effective Monday, April 1st, the extended season will run until Tuesday, April 30th. “We received such great feedback about the extended season this past fall, we wanted to add one to the spring season. We have been seeing a steady increase in day-use visitors to our Conservation Areas, and many of these guests [...]
UTRCA at the London Farm Show
UTRCA at the London Farm Show The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has had a booth at the annual London Farm Show for over 50 years. This year, our booth showcased a range of topics including the Thorndale Demonstration Farm, Drinking Water Source Protection, Water Quality Monitoring, Fish of the Thames, and Agricultural Resiliency. Additionally, forestry staff collaborated with other Southwestern Conservation Authorities at the neighbouring booth to jointly promote tree planting programs. With over 20,000 visitors annually, this show serves as a valuable opportunity for UTRCA staff to connect with local landowners, industry experts and other exhibitors. [...]
Do you know what’s in your water?
Do you know what’s in your water? The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority made a notable appearance at the London Farm Show during the first week of March. Representing Thames-Sydenham and Region, our Drinking Water Source Protection team shared Best Practices for Private Well owners. At the event, we distributed well water sample collection kits to owners of private drinking water systems, encouraging them to test their drinking water. While municipal drinking water systems require Source Water Protection, private drinking water systems do not. Instead, owners of private systems are directly responsible for protecting their own water sources. Proactively [...]
Robins – the Harbingers of Spring
Robins – the Harbingers of Spring It happens every year – someone happily announces that they saw their “first spring robin.” For many, the American Robin is considered to be a harbinger of spring; a joyous sign that warmer days are just ahead. Winter sightings of robins are much less common, leading many to assume they are absent. So it’s understandable when people are confused and concerned when they see a robin in the middle of January. Did this bird forget to migrate south? The answer is both yes and no. Although some robins fly south to avoid winter, [...]
UTRCA at Heritage Fair and Family Literacy Day events!
UTRCA at Heritage Fair and Family Literacy Day Events! On Saturday, February 10, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Community Partnerships staff participated in Heritage London’s Heritage Fair, which celebrated London’s rich history, culture, and heritage through an exploration of “100 Objects and Hidden Gems.” Held at the London Public Library’s Central branch, the UTRCA booth highlighted one of London’s most treasured wetlands: Sifton Bog. Visitors to our booth learned about the history of Sifton Bog and the importance of wetlands to ecological health and flood control. Our interactive flood model was a hit with all ages, as was [...]
River Resilience Rendezvous
River Resilience Rendezvous On Sunday, February 25, staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and the Lower Thames River Conservation Authority (LTVCA) participated in the River Resilience Rendezvous at the Oneida Community Centre in Oneida Nation of the Thames. This event was open to all members of the Oneida community, and staff from both authorities gave presentations and had booths with information on aquatic species, aquatic sampling techniques, and flood plain mapping. UTRCA Education staff Tom Cull and Aliena Hoskins led a native fish species art project where participants learned about the types of native fish found [...]