The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is a community-based environmental organization dedicated to achieving a healthy environment on behalf of the municipalities in the Upper Thames River watershed. Our mission is to:

• lead through expertise, diversity, and accountability,
• support sustainable organizational practices and policies,
• protect people and property from flood and erosion hazards and support safe development,
• protect and enhance water quality and a sustainable water supply,
• make science-based decisions and deliver landowner stewardship,
• provide natural spaces and recreational opportunities, and
• empower communities and youth.

Since its inception in 1947, the UTRCA has developed many program areas to achieve this mission. They are as follows:

Environmental Planning and Regulations: Supporting safe development by identifying natural hazards, providing policy support to municipalities, and ensuring compliance to Ontario Regulation 41/24 and Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act.

Hazard Mapping: Identifying the location of flood and erosion hazards, wetlands, and the area surrounding wetlands to identify areas regulated under legislation.

Flood and Erosion Control Infrastructure: Operating and maintaining structures that reduce damages caused by flooding and erosion.

Flood Forecasting and Warning: Informing municipal and First Nation flood coordinators, other agencies, and the public of possible risks to people and property from flooding. Data is collected from stream gauges, snow measuring courses, and precipitation and temperature measuring stations, as well as computer modelling.

Low Water Response: The Province of Ontario established the Ontario Low Water Response program to respond to increasing drought conditions. The UTRCA monitors weather forecasts, precipitation, stream flow, and water levels to take appropriate measures and conservation actions.

Drinking Water Source Protection: Coordinating and implementing the Thames-Sydenham Region Source Protection Plan to protect municipal drinking water sources.

Conservation Areas and Conservation Authority Lands: Providing land- and water-based recreational opportunities in conservation areas, and protecting more than 2,000 ha of land that has no or limited public access.

Municipal Lands Management: Managing Environmentally Significant Areas owned by the City of London.

Reforestation, Restoration, and Enhancement: Providing technical expertise, services, and cost-share opportunities for landowners to facilitate the creation, enhancement, or restoration of natural areas to improve ecosystem health.

Community Partnerships: Collaborating with government agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals to develop and deliver environmental programming to watershed residents.

Community Education and Outreach: Delivering innovative, curriculum-based learning programs to students, community groups, and the general public to foster an appreciation for the natural world.

Agricultural Stewardship: Assisting local farmers with environmental stewardship projects on land, including wetlands creation, cover crops, erodible land retirements, and more by providing technical resources. site visits, advice, and financial assistance.

Environmental Monitoring and Research: Monitoring and researching environmental characteristics of the watershed including water quality and quantity, biological features (e.g., species at risk, vegetation cover), stewardship initiatives, and more. The data is used to evaluate and report on existing watershed conditions, establish targets for protection and rehabilitation activities, and prioritize projects.

This year, we are preparing a Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy (Watershed Strategy) to set out our guiding principles and objectives and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our programs and services.

Through consultation with municipalities, First Nations, and the public, the Watershed Strategy will assess resource conditions, trends, risks, and issues that could impact the delivery of our programs and services.

For instance, we have identified the following issues that will require coordinated, multiparty, and multijurisdictional actions and innovative funding solutions:

• Climate variability and change
• Water quality including phosphorus, harmful algae blooms, and other concerns (e.g., contaminants, salt pollution)
• Alteration to watercourses and wetlands (e.g., vegetation removal, channelization, watercourse barriers)
• Loss of natural vegetation cover (e.g., forests) and increased development pressure
• Overuse and overcrowding of UTRCA natural areas and parks
• Invasive species and forest pests/pathogens
• Environmental injustice
• Disconnections from nature (i.e., limited opportunities to connect with nature)

The full Watershed Strategy document (draft) is available under the "Documents" heading on the right of your screen.