Collecting Climate Data to Predict Water Level Conditions The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's (UTRCA) Water Information Management unit monitors many sources of climate and hydrometric (standardized water quantity and information) data in order to predict future water level conditions, including water levels, estimated discharge rates, rainfall rates and cumulative totals, snow depth and water equivalents (the amount of water required to consume the same amount of heat as a substance consumes for one degree rise in the temperature). The UTRCA maintains six climate stations as well as 21 rainfall rate precipitation gauges across the watershed.  Culminative rainfall is [...]

Spring Tree Planting Season for 2023  The UTRCA forestry crew had another busy but successful tree planting season with 37, 544 trees planted and distributed. About 55 landowners took advantage of the UTRCA planting services to create windbreaks, buffers along water courses, and forests in the watershed. In addition to the crew’s efforts, another 150 landowners planted on their own to increase and restore natural ecosystems on their property. The weather this spring was not always cooperative, making for interesting planting conditions. The crew began the week after Easter, which turned out to be very warm, and the staff became concerned when the [...]

Swimming Upstream!  There are now 375 more fish on fences in the north end of the watershed! This spring, students and staff from St. Joseph and St. Ambrose Catholic Schools in Stratford participated in the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s Stream of Dreams program. Through science and art workshops, participants are reminded that their painted recycled, recyclable fish represent all living things and their need for clean water.   Another important takeaway that is shared in this program is that what happens on the land directly affects what happens in the water. Participants are encouraged to share what they [...]

UTRCA hosts OMAFRA for a Field Tour  Last month, Stewardship staff hosted a field tour for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The tour highlighted innovative projects, both past and current that have been fully funded or in part by OMAFRA. The first stop was at the Thorndale Demonstration Farm to showcase a suite of Best Management Practices such as contoured controlled drainage, aimed at improving moisture retention during dry summer months, and Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCoBs), which act to slow runoff and reduce soil erosion. The Cade Tract saturated buffer, a Temporary Land Retirement [...]

UTRCA hosts OMAFRA for a Field Tour  Last month, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Stewardship Services staff hosted a field tour for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The tour highlighted innovative projects, both past and current that have been fully funded or in part by OMAFRA. The first stop was at the Thorndale Demonstration Farm to showcase a suite of Best Management Practices such as contoured controlled drainage, aimed at improving moisture retention during dry summer months, and Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCoBs), which act to slow runoff and reduce soil erosion. [...]

Student Teachers Joined UTRCA Education Team this Spring We would like to say a big thank you to the student teachers who chose to complete their "non-traditional" placements with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) this spring. Carly Felker, currently enrolled in Western University’s Faculty of Education, spent the month of April working with Fanshawe Education and Partnership staff. Carly helped with Stream of Dreams, Nature School, London-Middlesex Children’s Water Festival, and the Green Leaders Initiative. Drew Johnson, from Queens University’s Concurrent Faculty of Education, joined Wildwood Education staff for the month of May. Drew supported and taught [...]

AMDSB OE PD What do all those letters stand for? Avon Maitland District School Board Outdoor Education Professional Development! On May 17, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Education staff hosted teachers from the Avon-Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) for a Professional Development session about Outdoor Education at Wildwood Conservation Area.   Judy Halpern, from the University of Laurier’s Faculty of Education, facilitated the day using inspiration from the book, "A Walking Curriculum" by Gillian Judson. The session was part of a wider movement at the AMDSB, called Field and Forest, that focuses on Indigenous, Environmental Learning and Discoveries. Kathleen [...]