Thames River Regulated Area Map Update – City of LondonÌý

The revised draft regulated area map for the Thames River in the City of London, was posted on October 17, 2025, for a 30-day notification period, as required by Ontario Regulation 41/24. This updated draft reflects changes made following public engagement and is available for viewing on UTRCA's and .

Questions or comments may be submitted to mapupdates@thamesriver.ca or directly through Engage Thames River. After the 30-day notification period, the draft map will be presented to the UTRCA Board of Directors for approval at their meeting on November 25, 2025.Ìý

UTRCA Brings Flood Safety Tips to Newcomer DayÌý

On October 4, 2025, the ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ (UTRCA) participated in the City of London's 2025 London Newcomer Day.Ìý Ìý

Organized by the City's Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Division and held at Fanshawe College, this one-day event welcomes newcomers to the community with the goal of "attracting, integrating, and retaining newcomers to London." Ìý

The event brought together new residents, local organizations, service providers, and community leaders, attracting over 700 visitors. The UTRCA booth provided information about flood safety, as well as information about the area's plant and animal species. Visitors were keen to learn about employment and volunteer opportunities, as well as avenues for enjoying London's Environmental Significant Areas and local Conservation Areas.Ìý Ìý

ESA programs with UTRCA Education StaffÌýÌý

October's weather started out perfectly – sunny and warm – a great combination for teaching and learning in several of London's Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs)!Ìý Students were invited to join ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ (UTRCA) Community Education staff at Sifton Bog, Medway Valley Heritage Forest, and Kilally Meadows.Ìý

Schools chosen were within walking distance from ESAs and received funding to participate from the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board.Ìý

Students explored hands-on activities such as dip-netting into water and sweep-netting along meadows to identify and classify organisms distinctive to these aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Other aspects of the program include a 'run-off' race experiment where students realized how wetlands and buffer areas capture storm water, filtrate and release cleaner water into our surrounding areas naturally.Ìý

What students take away from this program is a deeper appreciation of the ESAs in London and understanding the importance of these areas for their ecological diversity and the connection to cleaner water for us all!Ìý

For more information, visit our Environmental Education and Outreach Programs website. Ìý