Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

10/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to Dorchester Mill Pond on Sept. 13th to plant over 300 aquatic plants along the shoreline and crib wall! 👏🌾Many hands made light work, and we are very appreciative of all those who helped care for this special natural area.

For more info, check out our latest newsletter:

Community Comes Together to Restore Dorchester Mill Pond On September 13, community members gathered at the Dorchester Mill Pond for an aquatic planting event organized by the Dorchester Mill Pond Committee and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Volunteers planted over 300 native...

10/06/2026

Let’s Talk Invasive Species Management 🌾📣

⚠️ Invasive species can threaten native biodiversity, wildlife habitat and water quality. Managing these species helps protect the health and resilience of our watersheds.

UTRCA works with interested watershed landowners to support invasive species management and monitoring on their properties.

Interested in controlling invasive species on your property? We can help.

Complete our form to express your interest ➡️
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yiL0Q_jidkKaJqieJ4Tta8d3FuJNwiRGuS59G7ltaQVUMEJZWVo0REMxWDNXMFBLT1NCWEFENlY4WS4u

UTRCA is also happy to announce that we are a recipient of the 2026/27 Invasive Phragmites Control Fund (IPCF), supporting efforts to manage invasive Phragmites across our watershed.

Learn more about this year’s recipients and invasive Phragmites control efforts: www.ontariophragmitesaction.ca

10/06/2026

We're hiring a Corporate Services Assistant to be the primary internal contact for UTRCA staff regarding administrative, financial, and human resources support, helping staff access the information they need to carry out their work.

This is a great opportunity for someone with an education in administrative support, business, office administration, or accounting, as well as 5+ years of experience in an administrative and customer service role.

Find out more and apply by October 19th on our website:

Corporate Services Assistant Job Status: Permanent Full-Time Compensation: Grade 6, $33.35 (starting) to $40.58 per hour Number of Vacancies: 1 existing vacancy Benefits: Comprehensive Group Benefits, Pension Plan (OMERS) and Vacation package; complimentary access to UTRCA Conservation Areas Hours o...

10/05/2026

Sending a big "thank you!" to everyone who came out to Celebrate the Thames in Lions River Park on Saturday. 💚 We are especially grateful to Elder Eric Martin and Two Row Creeations who offered an Indigenous Welcome and Smudge to start the day, and to the Thamesford Lions who kept everyone fed with a delicious BBQ.

It was a fantastic, sunny day that was perfect for learning about the Thames River and celebrating all of the hard work and passion that goes into protecting it for future generations. 💧🐟

For more photos of the event, check out the Flickr album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6Su6

10/05/2026

🍂 As fall settles in, it's a good time to prepare your property for falling leaves, cooler temperatures, and heavy rain that can affect your water supply and septic system.

We've prepared several tips for protecting your drinking water from a private well and for giving your septic system a fall checkup. 💧 Find them in our latest newsletter:

Fall Prep: What You Need to Know About Source Water and Septics As summer comes to an end and fall approaches, it’s a good time to prepare your property for changing weather. Heavy rain, falling leaves, and cooler temperatures can all affect your water supply and septic system. A little fall maint...

10/01/2026

A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us at Westminster Ponds for London Forest Fest as we celebrated National Forest Week! 🌳

We began the day with an Indigenous opening ceremony led by Anishinaabe Elder Mary Lou Smoke, setting the tone for a day of learning, connection and celebration.

From the Meeting Tree hike with Justine Turner, where participants learned about the tree’s historical significance as a meeting place and safe haven for freedom seekers escaping slavery through the Underground Railroad, to exploring the forest with Brenda Gallagher and learning about tree identification, their significance and medicinal benefits, there was plenty to discover. Visitors could also explore the Biinaagami watershed map, meet birds of prey, take part in aquatic exploration, watch chainsaw carving and browse the native plant and seed exchange. And, of course, Forest the Lumber Jack brought plenty of wit and humour to the day.

Thank you to all of our presenters, partners, volunteers and participating organizations for sharing your knowledge, stories and activities with the community. And thank you to everyone who came out, stopped by, explored and celebrated with us!

City of London, Ontario - Municipal Government The Canadian Chestnut Council Canadian Wildlife Federation / Fédération canadienne de la faune The Davey Tree Expert Company London Bicycle Café Mike's Wood Solutions Inc ReForest London

View more photos here 📸https://www.flickr.com/photos/utrca/albums/72177720335878610

10/01/2026

This July and August, our education team welcomed over 400 people to Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas across 20 public events. People of all ages came together to learn and experience the joys of nature, from late-night Owl Prowls to early-morning Bug Safaris! 🌾🐜

Thank you to everyone who joined us over the summer season and helped make these events so memorable. 💚

Find out more in our September newsletter:

Summer Conservation Area Educational Events Recap As another summer comes to a close, it’s time to highlight the many exciting and educational events that took place at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas (CAs) throughout the season. In July and August, we welcomed over 400 particip...

09/30/2026

We want to thank Elder Mary Lou Smoke for leading our third annual Sunrise Ceremony for National Truth and Reconciliation Day at Pittock Conservation Area. UTRCA staff and board members were joined by members of the public and many elected officials to honour Survivors of residential schools and their families and remember the children who never returned home.

09/30/2026

Today, we wear orange to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and to remember the children who never came home from residential schools, and the Survivors, their families, and communities.

Truth and reconciliation require ongoing learning and reflection. As we work across the Upper Thames River watershed, we recognize that these lands and waters have been long cared for and connected to Indigenous people. Today and throughout the year, we are committed to continuing to learn, listen, and build respectful partnerships as part of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.