Learn More about Protecting Drinking Water Sources
Learn More about Protecting Drinking Water Sources Do you know how you can help protect sources of drinking water? Stay informed about protecting drinking water in the Thames-Sydenham and Region by connecting with our new social media accounts! Our new Facebook page and LinkedIn page focus on how you can help protect drinking water. Our social media campaigns are in full swing, aiming to boost awareness about drinking water source protection and inspire people to take action. We’ll be discussing threats to drinking water, insights into the Clean Water Act, practical ways to safeguard drinking water, and more! Take [...]
UTRCA Hosts Annual Flood Coordinators Meeting
UTRCA Hosts Annual Flood Coordinators Meeting On December 14, 2023, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) hosted its annual Flood Coordinators meeting. The meeting was open to flood coordinators from watershed municipalities and local First Nations, as well as staff from other agencies, including: Middlesex, Oxford, and Perth Counties Health units Neighbouring conservation authorities Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Flood Forecasting Centre Local police and fire departments Local school boards During a flood event, UTRCA staff send bulletins and other information to these individuals, who are responsible for carrying out necessary actions including disseminating flood bulletins to [...]
Helping Teachers to Teach Outdoors
Helping Teachers to Teach Outdoors Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Community Education staff led two Outdoor Learning sessions for over 50 London District Catholic School Board kindergarten teachers as part of a school board-wide Professional Development Day. Teachers that signed up for the sessions learned tips for setting up and facilitating outdoor learning experiences in school yards. For example, they considered the assets within their own outdoor spaces to help children make connections to nature and build positive relationships with the land. UTRCA staff also modeled various ways for teachers to use nature for sensory-based activities, and math, [...]
Find Out Hoo Learned, Played, and Explored at Fanshawe Nature School this Fall!
Find Out Hoo Learned, Played, and Explored at Fanshawe Nature School this Fall! Have you ever felt a true connection to a natural space where you can feel completely secure to relax, explore, and let your senses be your guide? “Owls and Owlets” had this experience during the six morning sessions of Fall Fanshawe Nature School. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Community Education staff have developed a safe and comfortable playing and learning space tucked into one of the coniferous plantations at Fanshawe Conservation Area (CA) where participants all have the freedom to play, investigate and learn! During [...]
New Bridge Installed in Dorchester Conservation Area
New Bridge Installed in Dorchester Conservation Area Have you spotted the new bridge in Dorchester Conservation Area (CA)? The bridge – constructed on a flatbed trailer with wood decking and a steel frame – was designed and installed by Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff and funded by Thames Centre in December 2023. It’s 54 feet long and wider than its predecessor. Built in the 1960s, the previous concrete bridge was deteriorating. A full replacement was required to continue enabling foot traffic across the creek by the parking lot. Community members often visit this area for hiking, commuting [...]
A New Threat: Beech Bark Disease
A New Threat: Beech Bark Disease What is Beech Bark Disease? Beech Bark Disease (BBD) is a new threat affecting American Beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) in Canada’s hardwood and mixed forests. This disease is the result of an insect-fungus complex caused by a non-native insect, beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga), coupled with a Neonectria fungus. Beech scale comes from Europe and first arrived in Nova Scotia in the 1890s. This insect, and the ensuing disease, is gradually spreading throughout much of the natural range of beech trees and is now found in all the maritime provinces, Quebec, and several [...]
Past tree planting efforts reaping rewards
Past Tree Planting Efforts Reaping Rewards There is a saying “The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, the second-best time is today.” Luckily, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and others have been planting trees on public and private land for well over 30 years and today we are reaping the benefits of past restoration efforts. The 2022 UTRCA Watershed Report Cards documented a 780 hectare increase between 2010 and 2015 in the Upper Thames River watershed. This is due to forest maturation, where trees planted in blocks in the 1970s and 1980s are [...]
Watershed Report Cards Shared Far and Wide
Watershed Report Cards Shared Far and Wide The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) released its 2022 Watershed Report Cards in early 2023. Since then, staff have been giving presentations to municipal committees, field naturalist clubs, municipal staff, anglers groups, partnership groups, university students, and stakeholders across the Upper Thames River watershed. The initial media release spurred interview requests from several local papers and media outlets as the report cards were met with much enthusiasm. To date, sixteen presentations and interviews have been given with more scheduled through 2024. People are interested in hearing about environmental conditions in their local watersheds [...]
How to Build a Snake Hibernaculum
How to Build a Snake Hibernaculum Snake hibernacula are underground chambers where snakes can spend the cold winter months. As natural hibernation sites become more difficult to find due to urban expansion and other disturbances, constructed hibernacula provide safe spaces for snakes to find refuge. This fall, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff built a snake hibernaculum at Snake Woods Nature Preserve in Oxford County. The species that may occupy the structure this winter include Eastern Garter Snake, DeKay's Brown Snake, and Milk Snake. Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the UTRCA, provided the following [...]
Black Redhorse Reappears in Fish Creek
Black Redhorse Reappears in Fish Creek This summer brought an exhilarating find: the reappearance of the Black Redhorse, Moxostoma duquesnei, a Threatened Species at Risk fish, in the waters of Fish Creek! This species of sucker, found in only a few rivers in Canada, had not been recorded in the Fish Creek subwatershed in over two decades. This discovery signals successful local conservation efforts. Imagine encountering a stunning medium sized, metallic bluish-black fish with large yellow eyes and a vertically oriented suckermouth. This discovery spurred extra excitement for the Upper Thames River Conservation Area (UTRCA) aquatic staff. Their [...]