Stream of Dreams Success in 2022 (UTRCA weekly, May 6, 2022) After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Community Education staff at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) were excited to run the Stream of Dreams program in schools once again. With support from the Thames Valley District School Board, UTRCA staff taught more than 3,000 students at seven schools how to protect our waterways. By the end of May, Stream of Dreams murals will be installed at AJ Baker, Byron Southwood, Cedar Hollow, Cleardale, Lord Nelson, Tecumseh, and West Oaks Public Schools. “These schools have been [...]

Friends of Stoney Creek celebrates 30 years (UTRCA weekly, April 29, 2022) The Friends of Stoney Creek volunteer committee continues its amazing work in the Stoney Creek watershed and is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022. The public is invited to take part in this year’s events to celebrate Stoney Creek and increase awareness of this community treasure: Community Pollinator Garden Planting on May 28 Beginner Birding Hike on June 26 Get To Know Your Creek Family Event on October 15 The Friends of Stoney Creek are a group of concerned citizens who work with the Upper Thames River [...]

You can help to protect drinking water (UTRCA Weekly, April 22, 2022) Do you know how you can help protect sources of drinking water? A social media campaign is underway to raise awareness of actions people can take to help protect sources of drinking water. The campaign is focusing on tips for spring cleaning (including what to do with hazardous waste material), why it’s important to test your well water, the impact pet waste can have on water quality, and the effects of spring runoff (urban and agriculture). “Increasing awareness through this spring campaign reminds people that we all play [...]

Thames River Clean Up returns! (UTRCA weekly, April 14, 2022) After a two-year break due to COVID-19, the Thames River Clean Up is set to resume for 2022! Everyone is encouraged to join in on Saturday, April 23 to clean up along streams and rivers throughout the Thames watershed. Todd Sleeper, Coordinator of the Thames River Clean Up, says, “The Friends of the Thames invite everyone to participate in the 2022 Thames River Clean Up! We need volunteers and coordinators more than ever. Garbage, plastic, masks, and gloves have washed into our waterways and these things are harmful to [...]

A Shared Waters Approach for the Thames River (Deshkan Ziibi) (UTRCA weekly, April 8, 2022) For more than a decade, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been collaborating in a long-term initiative called the Thames River Clear Water Revival (TRCWR). This partnership brings together Indigenous peoples, three levels of government, two local conservation authorities, and the local community. The initiative’s shared goal is a healthy and vital Thames River, which will also benefit Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. “Our first major project was to develop a report on the state of the environment in the Thames [...]

Trees for Bill: A Growing Legacy (UTRCA weekly, April 1, 2022) More than 10 years ago, the late Bill Kunz initiated a new tree planting program through his work with London Hydro. Bill brought his vision to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and the Tree Power London program was born. Bill helped build the program, with the slogan, “Harness the power of trees by planting a native hardwood tree in your yard.” In the fall of 2021, UTRCA staff helped organize a memorial tree planting in tribute to Bill. Members of Boler Mountain in London joined [...]

Community Science Volunteer Spotlight: Jim and Margaret Rule (UTRCA Weekly, March 25, 2022) This year, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) will be adding 15 more rain gauges to the Community Precipitation Monitoring Project, thanks to funding from the TD Friends of the Environment Fund. During the pilot year in 2021, the UTRCA worked with 12 landowners to measure and record daily precipitation using the online Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) platform. CoCoRaHS is a community based network of volunteers across North America who measure and map daily precipitation. Community science engages members of the [...]

Nature School returns to Wildwood CA for spring (UTRCA weekly, March 18, 2022) On April 5, 2022, another session of Nature School will begin, the first time it’s being held in the spring time at Wildwood Conservation Area (CA). Based on the popularity of previous sessions, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff are happy to continue offering this outdoor educational programming to families in the area. “We are so excited for our next session! We plan to add new areas to explore including a sunny spot and stream spot as well as continued programming inspired by whatever spring [...]

Public Showing its Support for Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (UTRCA weekly, March 11, 2022) On March 1, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) launched a fundraising drive for the Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) program. SOARR is one of Canada’s longest running and most successful reptile research and recovery programs. Initiated in 1994 to assess the status of the rapidly declining Spiny Softshell Turtle (pictured below) in southern Ontario, SOARR has evolved into an internationally recognized conservation program for a wide range of endangered and threatened reptiles. Scott Gillingwater, UTRCA Species At Risk Biologist, has [...]

Incorporating Green Infrastructure into Municipal Drainage Systems (UTRCA weekly, March 4, 2022) Staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) have been working with partners to incorporate Green Infrastructure into municipal drainage systems, in a project in the Township of Lucan Biddulph. The Blake municipal drain was constructed in 1982 and drains approximately 305 hectares (755 acres) of rolling farmland. The drain outlets into Medway Creek near Elginfield, north of London. Recent upgrades to the drain included the incorporation of erosion control features, with the construction of more than 25 water and sediment control basins along the [...]