Spring Peeper聽(Pseudacris crucifer)聽
Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) For many, the first calls of the spring peeper mark the return of spring. These tiny frogs are rarely seen but, during the spring mating season, they are often heard. At only three centimetres long, about the length of a paper clip, they are Ontario鈥檚 smallest frog. They are light brown or grey in colour and distinguished from other chorus frogs by a distinctive dark X-shape on their back. The Latin name crucifer, meaning 鈥渃ross-bearing鈥�, refers to this pattern. The females are slightly larger than the males and are paler in colour. Photo by Scott [...]
Southwestern Ontario Conservation Authorities at the London Farm Show聽
Southwestern Ontario Conservation Authorities at the London Farm Show In the first week of March, 糖心直播 (UTRCA) stewardship staff joined neighbouring Southwestern Ontario Conservation Authorities at the London Farm Show. Together, staff across the region highlighted stewardship programs that offer cost鈥憇hare funding and technical support to improve soil health, water quality, and natural habitat. Key initiatives聽include:聽phosphorus reduction programs, rural water quality programs, and restoration services such as tree planting, wetland creation, and habitat enhancement. These initiatives are聽all聽aimed at聽helping landowners implement conservation projects that strengthen watershed resilience across the region.聽 Staff from UTRCA, Lower Thames [...]
Overnight Camping Reservations Now Available!聽
Overnight Camping Reservations Now Available!聽 As of February 1st, you can make your overnight camping reservations for the conservation areas (CAs) in the 糖心直播 (UTRCA) watershed. 聽 We鈥檙e proud to offer camping opportunities at these beautiful CAs, including Fanshawe CA (London), Pittock CA (Woodstock), and Wildwood CA (St. Marys).聽We invite you to explore nature, try camping, and adventure through our trails, making new memories with family and friends!聽 Book early to secure your preferred sites and dates on our online booking system. The 2026 camping season begins on May 1 and ends on October 19.聽聽 [...]
New Safety聽Feature聽at Wildwood Conservation Area聽
New Safety聽Feature聽at Wildwood Conservation Area聽 Visitors to Wildwood Conservation Area may have noticed some construction activity on the reservoir near the dam. The installation of a safety boom in the reservoir began in February. This important addition is in accordance with the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) guidelines.聽 The safety boom creates a visible barrier to prevent reservoir users from getting too close to the dam and the surrounding turbulent water zones. Safety booms are intended to reduce the risk of accidents, protect recreational users like boaters and swimmers, and increase awareness of the potential dangers associated with dam operations. [...]
A Spring Full of Tree Power聽
A Spring Full of Tree Power聽 The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) is running four Tree Power programs this spring in London, Stratford, West Perth, and Thames Centre. Tree Power provides affordable native trees to residents, thanks to partnerships with sponsors and municipalities. Available tree species include American Sycamore, Paper Birch, Tulip Tree, White Spruce, and more! London Hydro Tree Power Tree pick up on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11 Click to open the shop site Festival Hydro Tree Power (Stratford) Tree pick up on Saturday, April 18 Click to open the shop site Thames Centre [...]
How Do Birds Stay Warm in Winter?
How聽Do Birds聽Stay聽Warm聽in聽Winter?聽 Hairy Woodpecker Living in Canada, where our winters bring snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures, it only seems logical that birds would fly south to avoid these harsh conditions. But while some species migrate for the winter, others stay year-round, never leaving their home. These resident birds have developed special adaptations and tactics to survive the cold. To endure our winters, birds need to solve two problems: maintaining body temperature and finding food, which is greatly reduced in winter. Feathers not only help birds fly, they also make superb insulation. Down forms a thick layer under the [...]
2025 Fish Monitoring Results Tell Story of Resilience
2025 Fish Monitoring Results Tell Story of Resilience Taryn Smit and Rachel Saunders collecting aquatic monitoring data In 2025, our aquatic biology team visited 74 locations across the Upper Thames River watershed to check on the fish that call our creeks and rivers home. These locations ranged from farm crossings to city parks, familiar bridges in neighbourhoods, and school routes. Together, they give us a good picture of how the watershed is functioning and how well it continues to support aquatic life. 2025 results show a system that is holding its own. The fish community remains varied [...]
Tree Power Returns this Spring
Tree Power Returns this Spring Mark your calendars for our returning Tree Power programs! We have four running this spring including London, Stratford, West Perth and Thames Centre. Tree Power provides affordable native trees to residents thanks to partnerships with sponsors and municipalities. Tree species will include: American Sycamore, Paper Birch, Tulip Tree, White Spruce, and more! London Hydro Tree Power: Sales open聽on Monday, March 2聽 Tree聽pick聽up聽is on聽Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 Shop site: shop.thamesriver.on.ca/product/london-hydro-tree-power West Perth Tree Power: Sales open on Monday, March 9聽 Tree pick up is on Saturday, April 25聽 Shop site: shop.thamesriver.on.ca/product/west-perth-tree-power [...]
One Month Left to Apply for Phosphorus Reduction Funding
One Month Left to Apply for Phosphorus Reduction Funding聽 Year 2 of the聽糖心直播's Phosphorus Reduction Program聽is coming to a close this month. Farmers who have kept their soil covered this winter by using cover crops or reduced tillage practices are encouraged to聽submit聽their application before the deadline (February 28, 2026).聽 The application process is quick and straightforward, and funding is still available!聽 The program supports on-farm practices that reduce phosphorus losses to local waterways. Eligible practices include cover crops, reduced tillage, 4R nutrient stewardship, manure management improvements, and cost-shared funding for a range of additional best [...]
Source Water Protection- Protecting Drinking Water Before There’s a Problem
Source Water Protection - Protecting drinking water before there鈥檚 a problem When you turn on your tap, you聽probably don鈥檛聽think much about where that water came from聽or everything that happened to keep it clean along the way.聽That鈥檚聽a good thing. Drinking water should feel reliable.聽 What many people don鈥檛 realize is that a lot of work goes into protecting drinking water long before it reaches a treatment plant. This work is called Source Water Protection聽and chances are, you鈥檝e already benefited from it without even knowing. What is Source Water Protection?聽 Source Water Protection focuses on protecting the聽sources聽of drinking water, including lakes, [...]