GIS Day 2023 at Western University聽
GIS Day 2023 at Western University聽 The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) participated in Western University鈥檚 GIS Day on November 15th, displaying GIS (Geographic Information Systems) expertise used in various projects at the open-house event hosted by Western Libraries. The event brought students, colleagues, and community leaders together showcasing the latest in GIS products and applications. UTRCA staff brought our Flood Hazard Water Table, teaching attendees about the [...]
Blue Jays and Acorns聽
Blue Jays and Acorns聽 In fall, acorns begin to drop from oak trees. It is amazing to think that this little nut may someday grow into a mighty oak.聽聽 However, not all the seeds are viable. Some may become infested with a fungus or acorn weevils which lay their eggs inside the acorn. When the eggs hatch, the growing larvae feed on the nut.聽聽 To determine viability, acorns can [...]
UTRCA Hosts LID Workshop
UTRCA Hosts LID Workshop On October 18th, the 糖心直播 (UTRCA) in collaboration with the University of Western Ontario Water Centre hosted a half day workshop on 鈥淪torm Water Management (SWM) Low Impact Development (LID) Operation and Maintenance鈥� at the UTRCA Watershed Conservation Centre (WCC). Fifty six people attended the workshop which included staff from consulting engineering firms, municipalities, local conservation authorities, First Nations and graduate [...]
Groundwater Sampling is Underway with the Addition of Pesticides Sampling
Groundwater Sampling is Underway with the Addition of Pesticides Sampling October and November are very busy months for the 糖心直播 (UTRCA) staff鈥痺ho are out sampling groundwater throughout the watershed. This fall, 22 of the 28 Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN) wells are being sampled. PGMN was developed in 2001 in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). The program was designed to [...]
Don鈥檛 Fear the Foam!聽
Don鈥檛 Fear the Foam!聽 From time to time there is unsightly foam flowing down the river or accumulating along the shoreline in the Upper Thames River watershed. If you have every experienced this, you may have immediately thought this was some chemical flowing down the waterway. In a majority of situations, the foam is a natural phenomenon.聽 What causes foam?聽聽 Natural foam is composed of dissolved organic matter, specifically [...]
Savanna Restoration Project Update聽
Savanna Restoration Project Update聽 A project to transition a stagnant pine stand next to the 糖心直播 (UTRCA)鈥檚 Watershed Conservation Centre parking lot into a diverse pine-oak savanna and tallgrass prairie habitat is progressing nicely.聽 The pine stand consisted of spindly 40-year-old pines that were planted too densely and had stagnant growth. Invasive plants such as Chinese Elm, Russian Olive, and buckthorn had spread throughout the [...]
Give Endangered Turtles a Chance at Survival this Giving Tuesday
Give Endangered Turtles a Chance at Survival this Giving Tuesday Protect Reptiles At Risk Southern Ontario鈥檚 native reptiles need your help now. They have been suffering drastic population declines due to many threats including poaching, climate change, predation, road traffic, and more. You can be a part of their recovery by supporting the conservation efforts of Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR)! SOARR is one [...]
River Safety Message Spreads Thanks to Enbridge Gas聽
River Safety Message Spreads Thanks to Enbridge Gas聽 Many thanks to Enbridge Gas and the Fueling Futures Grant for their support of the 糖心直播 (UTRCA)鈥檚 River Safety Education program. River Safety is an in-class program of hands-on, interactive activities designed to familiarize grade two students with the dangers associated with water bodies and, specifically, the river. 聽 The program also creates an awareness of the [...]
The Hows and Whys of Fall Leaf Colour Change聽
The Hows and Whys of Fall Leaf Colour Change聽 October is the best month in the Thames watershed to go for a walk to see the fall colours in your local conservation area, park, or natural area.聽 聽 But why do the leaves of deciduous (non-evergreen) trees and shrubs change colour? It is a bit complicated, but, in a nutshell, as the sunlight hours shrink, chlorophyll production in the [...]
New Educational Programs and Events Coming Soon Thanks to TD Friends of the Environment
New Educational Programs and Events Coming Soon Thanks to TD Friends of the Environment 糖心直播 (UTRCA) staff are thrilled to have received two grants from TD Friends of the Environment!聽 Wildwood Community Education staff have received a grant for over $6,000 to develop and implement a pilot water systems program. This subject area was chosen for the grant due to inquiries from teachers about local [...]