Have Your Say about Drinking Water Source Protection (UTRCA weekly, June 17, 2022) The Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Plan is a science-based plan aimed at protecting sources of local municipal drinking water. The plan determines areas where these drinking water sources are vulnerable, identifies potential threats, and develops plans to deal with the threats. Staff with the drinking water source protection program have started public consultation on an update to the Source Protection Plan and related Assessment Reports. This effort is part of a five year review as outlined in the provincial Clean Water Act. The public is [...]

Pine Plantation Restoration project (UTRCA weekly, June 10, 2022) Visitors to the Watershed Conservation Centre in Fanshawe Conservation Area may notice part of the pine plantation near the parking lot has been removed. The work is part of an ecological restoration project that Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff have been working on, with funding from the Invasive Species Centre, Nature London, and UTRCA. The plan is to transition the overly dense pine stand into a more open and diverse pine-oak-hickory savanna and tallgrass prairie habitat. Cathy Quinlan, UTRCA Terrestrial Biologist, said “This is a highly visible [...]

Perth Children’s Water Festival a Success (UTRCA weekly, June 3, 2022) The first in-person Perth Children’s Water Festival was a great success with more than 500 people in attendance! The event was held at Stratford’s Falstaff Family Centre on Sunday, May 29. Families were able to participate in several hands-on, educational booths being run by community organizations to learn about the importance of water and its conservation. The City of Stratford had its hydro-vac and fire trucks on site for children to tour. Community education staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) led a Stream of Dreams [...]

Children’s Water Festival events back in person! (UTRCA weekly, May 27, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is happy to be back hosting Children’s Water Festival events in person. “We're so excited to be able to gather again outdoors to celebrate water in our community!” says Linda Smith, UTRCA Water Festival Coordinator. After shifting to online activities due to the pandemic, UTRCA staff are holding events both in person and online this year. Perth Children’s Water Festival, Sunday, May 29 (Stratford) Families are invited to the Perth Children’s Water Festival event on Sunday, May 29, from [...]

Communities for Nature is back! (UTRCA weekly, May 20, 2022) In a typical year, approximately 10,000 trees and shrubs would be planted through the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) “Community Forestry” program. Through this program, local schools and community members join UTRCA staff to plant native trees and wildlife shrubs in municipal parks, along watercourses, and on industrial and commercial properties. Not surprisingly, the pandemic had a big impact on this program, as well as the other programs in our Communities for Nature initiative – “Spreading Like Wildflowers” and “Aquatic Connections.” Now, after two years of pandemic-related public [...]

Local author, Jon-Erik Lappano, joins UTRCA for outdoor events (UTRCA weekly, May 13, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) held Nature Nearby events in Mitchell and St. Marys on Saturday, May 7, featuring local author and Governor General Literary Award recipient, Jon-Erik Lappano. The inspiration for the Nature Nearby activities and inquiry-based explorations of the natural world came from Lappano’s latest book, Martin and the River, which features the North Thames River. Lappano jumped at the chance to take part in UTRCA’s family friendly programming. “From a young age, I have found meaning and connection in nature, [...]

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 [...]