Introducing the Shared Waters Action Plan for the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority The Thames River is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in Canada. Its watershed comprises nearly 25% of the Canadian Lake Erie basin and is the largest riverine watershed in the Lake St. Clair drainage basin. As a result, the Thames River has the potential to significantly impact conditions in Lake St. Clair and contribute to phosphorus loads in Lake Erie.  Many partners, including local First Nations, federal and provincial governments, City of London, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority [...]

Live Staking with University of Western Ontario  On April 25th, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) partnered with a group of University of Western graduate and undergraduate students on a stream bank stabilization and natural buffer zone project along a stretch of Medway Creek that runs through Western’s campus.   The project included the planting of 200 native shrubs and trees along what was previously a turf grass lawn running right up to the creek’s banks. The planting team also hammered into the shoreline live stakes of sandbank willow trees that had been previously harvested in a location further [...]

UTRCA Presents to City of London's Community Emergency Management Program Committee On April 20, Eleanor Heagy, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Communications and Marketing Coordinator, gave a presentation to the City of London Community Emergency Management Program Committee at the City’s Emergency Operations Centre. The presentation was an overview of Conservation Authorities and the UTRCA, flooding on the Thames River, and the UTRCA’s flood forecasting, warning, and response program. Eleanor was invited to speak to the committee after first giving this presentation to the Policy Group during the City’s annual mandatory training exercise in November 2022. The scenario [...]

UTRCA Community Partnership Specialist receives Conservation Award  Tom Cull, Community Partnership Specialist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), received a Conservation Award from Nature London in recognition of his outstanding volunteer work with Antler River Rally.    More than 10 years ago, Tom, his partner Miriam, and their son Emmett, started picking up garbage while taking their regular walks along the river. Tom grew this passion into the Antler River Rally. Tom is the co-founder and director of this volunteer community group, which he organizes to conduct monthly clean-ups of the Thames River in and around London.  [...]

Students Tackle Erosion and Flooding through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics  An early spring often means rushing water, overflowing creeks, and waterlogged parks. With climate change, the issue of flooding is widely predicted to become more severe and frequent. Students in the Thames Valley District School Board are aware of this problem and are busily brainstorming solutions.   This spring, Fanshawe Community Education staff visited 15 Grade 5 classes and eight Grade 3 classes in London and Woodstock to raise awareness of flooding and discuss ways to slow the flow of water using the lens of science, technology, engineering, [...]

Second Annual EarthFest a Success On April 22nd, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) celebrated Earth Day by participating in London’s second annual EarthFest celebration. Located at multiple downtown locations including the London Public Library Centre Branch, Citi Plaza, and along Dundas Place, the festival welcomed over 2,000 attendees who wandered through interactive displays. There were over 100 exhibitors and artists who shared  local approaches to sustainability, ecological justice, and the protection and health of our planet. The UTRCA served on the Festival’s steering committee and coordinated the “WaterZone” area which included displays by the Council of Canadians, [...]

Meet our new Vice Chair  At its Annual General Meeting, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) held elections for its 2023 Board including its new Vice Chair, Sandy Levin. Sandy is a familiar face to the UTRCA as he was Chair of the board in the past. He answered some questions about his role.  How will you approach your new role as Board Vice Chair?   My role is to assist the Chair, Board and staff to achieve the goals of the organization during a time of many changes to Conservation Authorities Why do you value the work of [...]