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 [...]

UTRCA Inspiration Award (UTRCA weekly, February 24, 2022) Erin Mutch, Learning Coordinator for the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), is this year’s recipient of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Inspiration Award! The award is presented to a teacher, group, or school that, through their actions, projects, or programs, encourages watershed residents to take an interest in the natural environment, create connections with nature, and contribute to its preservation. https://youtu.be/vf8o9WzQr3c The UTRCA Board of Directors presented the award to Erin at the 2022 Annual General Meeting on February 17. Erin is an accomplished environmental education leader [...]

Great Backyard Bird Count (UTRCA weekly, February 18, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) encourages you to get involved in the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 18 to 21. Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was the first online community science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real time. Community science engages members of the public in collecting data, which can be used to increase scientific knowledge and inform decision making. Birds Canada joined the project [...]

New Campsite Reservation System for Fanshawe, Pittock, and Wildwood Conservation Areas (UTRCA Weekly, February 11, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has launched a new and improved online reservation system for the 2022 camping season. The new Camis 5 reservation system for Fanshawe, Pittock, and Wildwood Conservation Areas went live on February 1, offering customers a fresh look and feel to the online experience. The new system provides greater access to online services and a better overall customer experience when campers are booking their campsites. Karen Sockett, Conservation Area Clerk, explained the appeal of the new site, saying, [...]

West London Dyke Reconstruction Project (UTRCA Weekly, February 4, 2022) The West London Dyke stretches nearly 2.4 kilometres along the North Thames River from Oxford Street to the Forks of the Thames, and then west along the main Thames River to Cavendish Park.  The City of London owns the dyke and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) undertakes major maintenance as part of its flood control program. Construction of the original West London Dyke began in the late 1880s. By the early 1900s, the dyke had been reinforced, extended, and raised at least twice. The dyke was overtopped [...]