Medway Creek Tree Planting聽
Medway Creek Tree Planting聽 On October 7, with the help of 糖心直播 (UTRCA) staff, over 100 native trees and shrubs were planted on the Medway Creek by Grade 6 and 7 students from London Christian Elementary School. Despite hard planting conditions, the student planters were able to get all of the trees in the ground in just under 2 hours! Tree species included Bur Oak, Red Oak, Bitternut Hickory, Dogwood, Elderberry, Nannyberry, Hackberry, Black Cherry, and American Sycamore.聽 As these trees and shrubs mature, they will provide many benefits to Medway Creek, the largest tributary [...]
ESA programs with UTRCA Education Staff
ESA programs with UTRCA Education Staff聽聽 October鈥檚 weather started out perfectly 鈥� sunny and warm 鈥� a great combination for teaching and learning in several of London鈥檚 Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs)!聽 Students were invited to join 糖心直播 (UTRCA) Community Education staff at Sifton Bog, Medway Valley Heritage Forest, and Kilally Meadows.聽 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.聽 Students explored hands-on activities such as dip-netting into water and sweep-netting along meadows to identify and classify [...]
Nature London Boosts Turtle Education and Prairie Restoration
Nature London Boosts Turtle Education and Prairie Restoration聽 The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) is excited to share that Nature London has donated $20,000 over four years to support turtles at risk and tallgrass prairie restoration in our watershed.聽 This generous gift will allow our Southern Ontario at Risk Reptiles (SOARR) program and Community Education staff to team up on new hands-on learning opportunities. From turtle lab tours to school visits and community events, people of all ages will be able to discover the challenges turtles face and what we can all do to help.聽 We kicked things [...]
Summer Event Highlights at UTRCA Conservation Areas聽
Summer Event Highlights at UTRCA Conservation Areas聽 As the leaves start to change colour, we鈥檙e reflecting on the wonderful events and experiences shared at Fanshawe, Pittock, and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs) this past summer. This year, we welcomed more than 500 participants and held 32 events that connected people of all ages with nature.聽 One of the season鈥檚 most popular offerings was our series of Firefly Walks, which invited families to experience the magic of these glowing insects firsthand. The walks were even featured in the London Free Press, which spotlighted fireflies鈥� fascinating biology and the Upper Thames River [...]
Dry Summer Allows for Rare Measurements聽
Dry Summer Allows for Easier Deep Water Measurements Each year, 糖心直播 (UTRCA) staff survey local rivers and reservoirs using GPS equipment. These surveys help us understand the shape and depth of waterways, which is important for creating accurate flood models and managing water levels.聽 This summer鈥檚 dry weather gave our survey team a rare chance to measure areas that are usually too deep. Using a flat-bottomed boat and a long survey pole, staff measured riverbed elevations along stretches of the North Thames River in London, Mitchell Reservoir, and upstream of the St. Marys dam. This [...]
Low Water Conditions in the Upper Thames Watershed聽
Low Water Conditions in the Upper Thames Watershed聽 The summer鈥檚 hot, dry weather has led the Low Water Response Team for the Upper Thames River watershed to declare a Level 1 Low Water advisory. The advisory is part of a three-tiered system used in Ontario to inform the public of local low water conditions.聽 The key indicators used to evaluate low water conditions are precipitation over the past one month and three months, and stream flows over the past month. The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) measures flows at more than 30 stations across the Thames River and [...]
Turtle Program Spotlight!聽
Turtle Program Spotlight!聽 This August the Species at Risk team and Community Education team were able to come together to provide a spotlight on the amazing turtle conservation work of the 糖心直播 (UTRCA) through three different events.聽聽 The 2025 Reptiles at Risk Friends and Family Day hosted on Saturday, August 23, was a huge success! With over 120 people in attendance, we were able to share the amazing work by Scott Gillingwater, UTRCA鈥檚 Species at Risk Biologist, and the Southern Ontario at Risk Reptile (SOARR) team with staff鈥檚 friends and family. Participants got to learn [...]
Public Health Ontario鈥檚 New Water Testing Portal Toolkit聽
Public Health Ontario鈥檚 New Water Testing Portal Toolkit聽 糖心直播 (UTRCA) drinking water source protection staff is pleased to announce the launch of Public Health Ontario (PHO)鈥檚 new Water Testing Portal Toolkit.聽 The portal provides a modern, streamlined way for Ontarians to test and access results for their private drinking water systems. This initiative is designed to make testing faster, more efficient, and more accessible, while continuing to support the province鈥檚 drinking water source protection efforts.聽 Why This Matters聽 Many Ontarians rely on private drinking water sources such as wells, cisterns, or treated lake water. Unlike [...]
Volunteering at a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the 糖心直播聽聽
Volunteering at a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the 糖心直播聽聽 A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the 糖心直播 (UTRCA). It was such a rewarding experience!聽 For those who may not know, the Thames River supports one of the richest communities of freshwater mussels in Canada. Historically, it was home to 32 species of native freshwater mussels. Unfortunately, studies have shown a continuous decline in mussel diversity over time. Many of the species that have disappeared were key indicators of a healthy [...]
Fall Tree Power sales underway聽
Fall Tree Power sales underway聽 There are currently three Tree Power sales underway across the watershed, providing residents with affordable native tree species to plant on their property. Looking to green your yard, provide habitat for animals, and reduce home cooling costs? Take advantage of these great programs!聽 Volunteers help hand out trees at the 2024 Perth South Tree Power Perth South Tree Power has 10 species available including American Sycamore, Paper Birch, and Tulip. Pick up day will be Saturday, September 27, from 8 - 10 am at the Perth South Municipal Office in St. Pauls. [...]