Library Project a Success again this year (UTRCA weekly, November 25, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) partnered with area libraries again this year to give library patrons the opportunity to visit our Conservation Areas. The UTRCA provided 2022 Season Vehicle passes to the Childreach Lending Library, London Public Library, North Perth Library, Perth East Library, St. Marys Public Library, Stratford Public Library, and Oxford County libraries. The passes provide day use access to Wildwood, Fanshawe, and Pittock Conservation Areas, and can be signed out similar to a library book. This initiative began in 2019 with the [...]

Community Plantings to end the year (UTRCA weekly, November 18, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has wrapped up a busy year of community plantings, adding trees and plants to two more sites this October. The UTRCA was pleased to work with Oneida Nation of the Thames and TD Tree Days on October 7. A total of 250 new trees were planted, including pear, apple, peach, white cedar, white spruce, white pine, hemlock, sugar maple, and red maple. Fruit trees planted in previous years were reported to now be bearing fruit! Tree planting visits to the homes [...]

Tracking Water Quality in Stratford (UTRCA weekly, November 11, 2022) Earlier this week, volunteers with the Avon River Environmental Association (AREA) collected water samples from the Avon River in Stratford. The group collects samples twice a year to be tested for E. coli as part of their efforts to improve the Avon’s water quality. The results are shared with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and included in the UTRCA’s Watershed Report Cards. Every five years, the UTRCA produces report cards that summarize local environmental conditions in each of the 28 watersheds within the upper Thames watershed. These [...]

Let’s talk soil health! (UTRCA weekly, November 4, 2022) Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) stewardship staff recently met up with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Soil Team as well as local farmers, Jeremy O’Shea and Belinda Bowman, to discuss all things soil. The morning began at one of the water sampling stations in the upper Medway Creek subwatershed. UTRCA staff discussed an initiative to improve soil health within the watershed by focusing on one specific agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP): cover crop trials. Between fall 2018 and spring 2022, the UTRCA received funding [...]

Installing LUNKERS for Fish Habitat on Medway Creek (UTRCA weekly, October 28, 2022) Approximately 12 metres of wooden fish habitat structures has been installed along a bend on Medway Creek near Thirteen Mile Road, in Middlesex Centre. The wooden cover structures, also referred to as Little Underwater Neighbourhood Keepers Encompassing Rheotactic Salmonids (LUNKERS), are set just beneath the water’s surface. They are constructed of oak hardwood which, so long as it stays wet, will last for many years. The LUNKERS are located on the outside of a bend where the natural water movement will scour the area clear of [...]

More Celebrating Natural Connections events! (UTRCA weekly, October 21, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is hosting two more free Celebrating Natural Connections events in October! Celebrating Natural Connections commemorates the efforts of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrates the natural spaces that are so important for our physical and mental health. Local artists and municipalities are involved in the events, as well as hiking, naturalist, and angler clubs. Saturday, October 22, Lion’s Park, Mitchell Activities will include a guided insect hike with UTRCA and West Perth Library staff, live reptile shows with Sciensational Sssnakes, [...]

UTRCA Establishing New Prairie for Grassland Birds (UTRCA weekly, October 14, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has signed a 20 year agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to establish, maintain, and monitor 22.6 hectares of tallgrass prairie habitat for Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. These grassland birds are Species at Risk classified as threatened in Ontario. The new tallgrass prairies will compensate for habitat that will be lost due to highway improvements undertaken by the MTO in southwestern Ontario. MTO is providing the project funding and the UTRCA is providing the land, expertise, and project [...]

Two Celebrating Natural Connections events this month (UTRCA Weekly, October 7, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is hosting two more free Celebrating Natural Connections events this month! On Saturday, October 15, a family friendly event will be held at Hodges Pond. This day will include birds of prey shows by the Raptor Conservancy, species at risk display, guided hikes led with Woodstock Field Naturalists and UTRCA staff, kids’ activities led by Oxford Early ON, Wildlife Gardening, a nature art activity, and more. A new section of trail will also be officially opened to commemorate the efforts [...]

Planting with Partners in Stratford (UTRCA weekly, September 30, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) recently partnered with the City of Stratford’s Energy and Environment Committee to plant native grasses along the Avon River. The planting is at the corner of John Street and TJ Dolan Drive, at the end of the recently completed accessible pathway. In June, 200 Big Bluestem and 200 Little Bluestem were planted with plans for 100 more plants to go in the ground this fall. The long range plan is to plant along the entire 300 metre length of the pathway. In [...]

Celebrating Natural Connections events this weekend (UTRCA weekly, September 22, 2022) This weekend, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff and community partners are hosting free Celebrating Natural Connections events on Saturday and Sunday! Wildwood Conservation Area, Saturday, September 24 Saturday’s Celebrating Natural Connections event is at Wildwood Conservation Area. This free event will include: a stream exploration hike with UTRCA staff, Story Walk and activities by St. Marys Public Library, Stratford Field Naturalists, Wild ON Birds of Prey demonstration, displays about reptiles at risk, Indigenous Educator Patsy Day, wagon rides, and the Sunset Shack Food Truck (10 am [...]