Educational (and Fun!) Programming in the Conservation Areas
Educational (and Fun!) Programming in the Conservation Areas Did you know that each of the three UTRCA Conservation Areas (CAs) provide educational programming and events for kids and adults throughout the summer? Did you also know that we bring in outside organizations as well as our very own community education staff to hold events? Already this year, we have had the pleasure of welcoming several organizations including: Sciensational Sssnakes, Wild Ontario, Scales Nature Park, Canadian Raptor Conservancy, and Speaking of Wildlife. Each one has brought their own unique animals, ranging from snakes and turtles to birds of prey and [...]
Report Turtle and Snake Sightings Online!
Report Turtle and Snake Sightings Online! There is a new, quick way to report sightings of turtles and snakes in southwestern Ontario. Just submit a form online and it will go directly to Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Visit the UTRCA Turtle Reporting Form to report: turtle nest with eggs turtle nest without visible eggs injured turtles, and other concerns regarding turtle health and safety Visit the UTRCA Snake Reporting Form to report: unidentified or unknown snake species rare snake species injured snakes, and other concerns regarding snake health and [...]
Events All Summer at Conservation Areas
Events all summer at Conservation Areas Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff are very excited for the events they have planned at Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs). See below for details including where pre-registration is required. Please note: A valid park permit is required for all events. Fanshawe Conservation Area Saturday, July 22: Wild Ontario 4:00 pm, Recreation Shelter Visit with some of Ontario’s native birds! Each bird has a unique story to share about why they are no longer able to live in the wild and how they came to be ambassadors for public education [...]
Buffers along Water Courses Protect and Improve Water Quality
Buffers along Water Courses Protect and Improve Water Quality What are buffer strips? Buffer strips are permanently vegetated areas adjacent to open watercourses and wetlands, such as drainage channels, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. They are designed to help separate natural ecosystems from agriculture and developed areas to reduce the risk of contaminated runoff entering surface water. They may include trees, shrubs, grasses or wildflowers and can range from three to 30 m or more in width. How buffers help water quality Bank stabilization – The roots of grasses, shrubs and trees provide bank stability, which help prevent erosion [...]
Landowners Discuss Stewardship Projects in Two New Videos
Landowners Discuss Stewardship Projects in Two New Videos UTRCA Stewardship Services have released two new videos showcasing the various benefits of constructed wetlands and field windbreaks across the agricultural landscape. Constructed Wetlands as Green Infrastructure UTRCA partnered with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the landowner to promote the creation of more constructed wetlands. This video highlights two constructed wetland designs in the Upper Thames River watershed and the role of wetlands in mitigating flooding and improving rural water quality. https://youtu.be/i3QVZdRVIY0 Planting for the Future: The Long-term Economic and Environmental Benefits of Windbreaks UTRCA staff are working with local landowners [...]
Huron University College Scotia Bank Scholars
Huron University College Scotia Bank Scholars Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Community Education staff partnered for a second year with Huron’s Scotia Bank Scholars. It offers an intensive high school English credit to exceptional students from across the watershed who have been identified as facing barriers to post-secondary education. The theme for this year’s program 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 the Fanshawe dam before participating in activities that [...]
Surveyors Hit the Ground Running
Surveyors Hit the Ground Running Kenny Tomljenovic, July 2023 Flood modelling begins with the essential job of watercourse surveying. Each year, a team of Field Survey Assistants joins the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) from June to November to collect information about the shape of watercourses all over the Upper Thames River watershed. While waterbodies look flat from above, the ground beneath can be far from it. “It’s hard to tell where the ground is,” said Collin Branton, GIS Specialist – Water Resources. “So, the Surveyors use GPS equipment to measure the elevation of the [...]
Patrolling London’s ESAs
Patrolling London's ESAs Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff designated as Provincial Offences Officers have been focusing their patrols on the City of London's Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs), enforcing rules and municipal by-laws as well as answering trail users’ questions and concerns. Over the last few years, UTRCA staff have noticed a large increase in trail users which has also meant an increase in by-law infractions. Common infractions include: dogs being off leash, biking on hiking-only trails, and off trail usage (parties, encampments, etc.) These by-laws are in place to protect the wildlife and vegetation throughout the ESAs as well as the public that frequent the areas. [...]
Creating a Buzz with New Pollinator Factsheets
Creating a Buzz with New Pollinator Factsheets To meet the growing interest in, and concern about, our native insect pollinators, UTRCA staff have produced two colourful factsheets and a pull-up display. The first factsheet, Introducing Native Insect Pollinators, explains why these insects are essential to natural and agricultural ecosystems, the types of insects that do most of the pollinating, and how insects pollinate flowers. There is also information on why insect populations are declining and what people can do to help. The second factsheet, Attracting Butterflies to your Garden, outlines the essentials of providing food, water, habitat, and host [...]
Stratford All-Wheels Park LID Project
Stratford All-Wheels Park LID Project The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) partnered with the City of Stratford to implement an All-Wheels Park Low Impact Development (LID) Project to address an existing drainage issue in the city’s skate park. After a rainfall, sections of the park as well as the all-wheels ramps would be inaccessible due to the standing water caused by the rain. To address this, the LID project included three rain gardens totaling 125 square metres along with improved grading to capture the runoff into the rain gardens. The crew responsible for creating the rain gardens. [...]