Studying the Economics of Cover Crops (UTRCA Weekly, December 10, 2021) Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff  have long recognized the environmental benefits of cover crops, and now are looking at their economic impact, too. Mike Funk, UTRCA Agricultural Soil and Water Quality Technician, explained that cover crops can have a direct impact on water quality and quantity, as they improve infiltration and reduce runoff during extreme rain events. He says, “Cover crops are a proven practice when it comes to improving soil and water quality. In this trial project, we’re hoping to put a value on them [...]

Community Science Volunteer Spotlight: Mike and Ruth John (UTRCA Weekly, December 3, 2021) This year, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been working with 12 watershed property owners to pilot a new Community Precipitation Monitoring Project. Participants have been measuring and recording 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 public in collecting data that can be used to increase scientific knowledge and inform decision making. This practice [...]

September 2021 flood event (UTRCA Weekly, November 26, 2021) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) watershed’s most significant flood event since before the pandemic, occurred as a result of 50-135+ mm of rain falling over a 24 hour period on September 22-23. With the watershed already saturated from rain earlier in the month, much of this rain was not absorbed into the ground, but rather ran off into local streams and rivers. It’s quite rare for a flood of this magnitude to occur in the fall rather than the spring. This event was equivalent to a 1:5 to [...]

Autumn Groundwater Well Sampling is Well Underway (UTRCA Weekly, November 19, 2021) October and November are a busy time for Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff who are collecting water samples and groundwater supply data at monitoring wells across the Upper Thames watershed. The UTRCA has 28 groundwater monitoring wells that are part of the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN), and additional monitoring wells with the City of London at sites including Sifton Bog. The wells are sampled for a suite of water quality parameters to assist in understanding emerging issues in local groundwater quality. Each well station [...]

Conservation Field Day at UTRCA’s Thorndale Demonstration Farm (UTRCA weekly, November 12, 2021) On Wednesday, November 3, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff hosted a Conservation Field Day for the public at the UTRCA’s Thorndale Demonstration Farm. This 58 acre farm demonstrates various best management practices (BMPs) and showcases how to improve soil health and local water quality. Brad Glasman, UTRCA Manager of Conservation Services, explained that, “The Thorndale Demonstration Farm is intended to demonstrate agricultural BMPs and showcase how they can improve soil health, water quality, and productivity. The goal is to provide examples of a suite [...]

Climate Change Tree Trial Produces First Seed Crop (UTRCA weekly, November 5, 2021) The Oxford County Bur Oak Climate Change Trial is a partnership between the Forest Gene Conservation Association, Oxford County, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Located at the Salford Waste Management Facility, the site has Bur Oak trees from local sources, as well as from Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The project is testing the theory that as our climate continues to warm, trees from more southern locales will perform better than our local trees, as they are better adapted to a warmer climate. This year, [...]

Perth Children’s Water Festival shifts online (UTRCA weekly, October 29, 2021) The Perth Children’s Water Festival Committee is excited to share virtual opportunities and resources with classes across Perth County. Linda Smith, Water Festival Coordinator at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), says, “We look forward to providing fun and interactive activities that will connect students to local organizations and educational materials and help them better understand the functions and importance of water.” Each month, from October to April, a new Google activity slide will be released, featuring links to fun and educational activities. Teachers will receive access [...]

Nature Nearby Program launches this weekend (UTRCA weekly, October 22, 2021) Community Education staff from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) are launching a new Nature Nearby program! This free program creates opportunities for families to spend time in and with nature, in their local communities. Staff will lead Nature Nearby programming in various watershed locations on one Saturday per month throughout the fall season. The first sessions are this Saturday, October 23 in Mitchell, St. Marys, and Stratford. Click on the links below for details and to register: Nature Nearby in Mitchell Nature Nearby in St. Marys [...]

Tree Power comes to Perth South (UTRCA weekly, October 15, 2021) London Hydro, Festival Hydro (Stratford), and now Perth South have all adopted the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) Tree Power program! The Tree Power concept was initiated in 2011 by Bill Kunz, an employee of London Hydro. The goal was to encourage homeowners to plant shade trees to help reduce home energy consumption and fight climate change. Today, this goal is more important than ever. Residents of Perth South were able to order their choice of five native hardwood tree species: American sycamore, basswood, red maple, swamp [...]

Memorial Forest programs continue through pandemic (UTRCA Weekly, October 8, 2021) The Memorial Forest program provides a natural, lasting tribute to loved ones. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is involved in five memorial forests across the watershed: London, St. Marys, Thames Centre, Thamesford/Zorra Township, and Woodstock. Last spring, UTRCA staff helped to establish a new memorial garden in Monkton in partnership with the Municipality of North Perth. The family of the deceased receives an “In Memorium” card notifying them that a tree will be planted in memory of their loved one. The cost varies depending on [...]