How Do Birds Stay Warm in Winter?
How Do Birds Stay Warm in Winter? Hairy Woodpecker Living in Canada, where our winters bring snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures, it only seems logical that birds would fly south to avoid these harsh conditions. But while some species migrate for the winter, others stay year-round, never leaving their home. These resident birds have developed special adaptations and tactics to survive the cold. To endure our winters, birds need to solve two problems: maintaining body temperature and finding food, which is greatly reduced in winter. Feathers not only help birds fly, they also make superb insulation. Down forms a thick layer under the [...]
2025 Fish Monitoring Results Tell Story of Resilience
2025 Fish Monitoring Results Tell Story of Resilience Taryn Smit and Rachel Saunders collecting aquatic monitoring data In 2025, our aquatic biology team visited 74 locations across the Upper Thames River watershed to check on the fish that call our creeks and rivers home. These locations ranged from farm crossings to city parks, familiar bridges in neighbourhoods, and school routes. Together, they give us a good picture of how the watershed is functioning and how well it continues to support aquatic life. 2025 results show a system that is holding its own. The fish community remains varied [...]
Tree Power Returns this Spring
Tree Power Returns this Spring Mark your calendars for our returning Tree Power programs! We have four running this spring including London, Stratford, West Perth and Thames Centre. Tree Power provides affordable native trees to residents thanks to partnerships with sponsors and municipalities. Tree species will include: American Sycamore, Paper Birch, Tulip Tree, White Spruce, and more! London Hydro Tree Power: Sales open on Monday, March 2 Tree pick up is on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 Shop site: shop.thamesriver.on.ca/product/london-hydro-tree-power West Perth Tree Power: Sales open on Monday, March 9 Tree pick up is on Saturday, April 25 Shop site: shop.thamesriver.on.ca/product/west-perth-tree-power [...]
One Month Left to Apply for Phosphorus Reduction Funding
One Month Left to Apply for Phosphorus Reduction Funding Year 2 of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's Phosphorus Reduction Program is coming to a close this month. Farmers who have kept their soil covered this winter by using cover crops or reduced tillage practices are encouraged to submit their application before the deadline (February 28, 2026). The application process is quick and straightforward, and funding is still available! The program supports on-farm practices that reduce phosphorus losses to local waterways. Eligible practices include cover crops, reduced tillage, 4R nutrient stewardship, manure management improvements, and cost-shared funding for a range of additional best [...]
Source Water Protection- Protecting Drinking Water Before There’s a Problem
Source Water Protection - Protecting drinking water before there’s a problem When you turn on your tap, you probably don’t think much about where that water came from or everything that happened to keep it clean along the way. That’s a good thing. Drinking water should feel reliable. What many people don’t realize is that a lot of work goes into protecting drinking water long before it reaches a treatment plant. This work is called Source Water Protection and chances are, you’ve already benefited from it without even knowing. What is Source Water Protection? Source Water Protection focuses on protecting the sources of drinking water, including lakes, [...]
GREEN Leaders Program Underway and Seeking Panelists for Student Summit
GREEN Leaders Program Underway and Seeking Panelists for Student Summit This year’s UTRCA GREEN Leaders program is well underway, with 16 Grade 7/8 classes from across the watershed participating. Student teams have now selected the environmental issues they want to tackle, with topics ranging from microplastics and fish species at risk, to declining bat populations, “forever chemicals”, aquatic invasive species, and overall Lake Erie health. Classes are currently in the policy and practice research stage, where students are reaching out to local partners and community experts to learn more about their environmental issue, explore what’s already being done to [...]
Snow Surveys in the UTRCA Watershed
Snow Surveys in the UTRCA Watershed With all the snow the Upper Thames River watershed has received this winter, residents may be wondering if major flooding is in the forecast. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been manually surveying accumulated snow across the watershed since 1957, as part of the flood forecasting and warning services it provides to watershed municipalities to inform residents and businesses of impending dangers. To assist us in forecasting floods - and managing our flood control reservoirs - we operate: stream gauges, snow survey sites, and precipitation and temperature measuring stations. Snow measurements [...]
SOARR Marks 2025 Achievements and Launches Its 33rd Year
SOARR Marks 2025 Achievements and Launches Its 33rd Year Our modern world often results in most of us being inundated with a constant barrage of information, responsibilities, and pressures, so it is often hard to stay focused on a single thing. Sometimes that means that we lose sight of the threats to our environment, and the wildlife within it. This is why groups and organizations that focus on wildlife conservation must stay consistent in their approach, frequently communicate their findings, and be creative in their strategies. Very few wildlife protection programs are able to last over the long-term, though [...]
P.A. Day Fun with the UTRCA and Stratford Perth Museum
P.A. Day Fun with the UTRCA and Stratford Perth Museum On Friday, January 30, the UTRCA partnered with the Stratford Perth Museum once again to provide a jam-packed day of outdoor activities and museum exploration for 20 day camp participants. This unique session brought together children ages 6–10 for an entire day of fun, making full use of the museum’s indoor spaces as well as the forest and meadow trails on the property. Participants took to the trails for snowshoeing and gathered around the campfire flames to learn practical skills through campfire cooking, marshmallow roasting, and bannock making. Beyond [...]
Mid-Winter Reminder: Salt, Snow, and Protecting Our Drinking Water
Mid-Winter Reminder: Salt, Snow, and Protecting Our Drinking Water As winter settles in and snow and ice become part of our daily routines, road salt and snow removal play an important role in keeping sidewalks, driveways, and roads safe. However, mid-winter is also a key time to pause and think about how these winter practices can impact our drinking water sources. Why Winter Matters for Source Water Protection It’s easy to assume that frozen ground protects our water, but winter conditions can actually increase risks. When salt is applied to roads, parking lots, and walkways, it doesn’t simply disappear. Instead, it builds up in snowbanks and on hard surfaces. During warmer days, rain [...]