FYI June/July 2009 (also available as pdf file)

• Communities for Nature - Spring Tree Planting Wrap Up
• The Passing of a Conservation Pioneer
• Species of the Month: Brook Lampreys
• Holiday Weekend Events
• Targeted Stewardship in the Medway Creek Watershed
• Report Cards go International
• Congratulations!
• Headwaters Workshop
• Innovative Nitrogen Management in Oxford
• Tracy Annett, MCIP, RPP
• Water Festival Wraps Up
• On the Agenda

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Communities for Nature - Spring Tree Planting Wrap Up

The spring school and community tree planting events finished up on May 8th. During the three week period, the UTRCA reached 4045 students and many community groups and individuals, who planted 6825 native trees and shrubs throughout the watershed.

Weekend events included Stoney Creek Community Day at Hastings Park and Sunoco Earth Day at Watson Street Park (London), Ilderton Scouts at Weldon Park in Arva, Friends of Burgess Park in Woodstock, and Trees for Ingersoll with CAMI and the Town of Ingersoll.

Over 30 partners helped to make these plantings successful: the Thames Valley Board of Education; Catholic District School Board; Conseil Scolaire de District des Ecoles Catholique Sud Ouest; Avon Maitland Board of Education; Friends of Stoney Creek; area Cubs, Beavers, Scouts, Sparks, Brownies; Friends of Medway Creek; Suncor Energy Foundation; Earth Day Canada; TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (London and Woodstock branches); McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London; private landowners; Friends of Burgess Park; CAMI Automotive; Communities in Bloom; Town of St Marys; Town of Ingersoll; City of London; City of Woodstock; Zorra Township; Municipality of Thames Centre; Municipality of Middlesex Centre; Shell Canada; The London Community Foundation; Logan and Evans Chapel and R.D. Longworth Funeral Home; and Oxford Stewardship Council.

Thanks to the UTRCA Board Members and Staff who support the Communities for Nature “Community Forestry” program by volunteering at our events.

Contact: , Resources Specialist

The Passing of a Conservation Pioneer

Leonard Johnson passed away on May 13th at the age of 94. For those of you not familiar with the name, Len was one of the first “staff” of the UTRCA and many other Conservation Authorities, working for the Conservation Authorities Branch of the Provincial Department of Lands and Forests. Len participated in the original survey that produced the 1952 Upper Thames Valley Conservation Report, and was part of the negotiations for all of the UTRCA’s major flood control structures.

Len was a true conservationist and participated in UTRCA events, even in retirement. I recall Len attending our Dorchester Swamp Management Plan kick-off event in 1996. Len had negotiated much of the original land acquisition for the Dorchester Swamp, as well as most of our other wetland holdings. Len also helped found the Fanshawe Pioneer Village. He received one of the first Pioneer Awards presented at the A.D. Latornell Conference.

More recently it seemed our contact with Len was at funerals for former Board Members and Staff (part of getting older) but he was always on top of issues facing the UTRCA.

As the UTRCA gets older as an organization, it is unfortunate that we lose contact with our founders. Len deserves an enormous amount of credit for helping to create the UTRCA. Our success today can be traced directly to his efforts. He will be missed.

Contact: , General Manager

Species of the Month

Brook Lampreys

Two species of brook lamprey are found in the Thames watershed. The American Brook Lamprey (Lampetra appendix) has been recorded in about half a dozen locations scattered throughout our area. Like our native Brook Trout, this species seems to require water temperatures that remain cool, rarely going above 22º C. As such it is a good indicator of coldwater conditions and streams where trout may persist or where trout re-introduction may be a possibility.

Until a few years ago, only very dated (1884, 1931, 1974) and suspect Thames records existed for the Northern Brook Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor). In 2004, a population of this species, considered a “Special Concern” species at risk federally and provincially, was discovered in a South Thames River tributary near London. Further sampling has confirmed the presence of an apparently stable population.

Brook lampreys’ reputation suffers from their superficial similarity and distant relationship to the Sea Lamprey, a very destructive invasive species that attacks Great Lakes gamefish and was largely responsible for the widespread Lake Trout decline. Unlike their relatives, brook lamprey are non-parasitic. For most of their lives they are blind larvae, emerging occasionally from their tunnels in soft stream substrates to feed on algae and organic debris. After five to seven years they change into the adult form, spawn, and die.
Although little is known about brook lamprey biology, American Brook Lamprey are likely a significant component of coldwater aquatic ecosystems, while Northern Brook Lamprey play a similar role in warmwater systems.

Brook lampreys are similar in shape to eels, and have a series of uncovered round gill openings on the sides of the head, behind their eyes, and a single nostril on the upper surface of the head. Pictured is the American Brook Lamprey.

The Northern Brook Lamprey is a small, non-parasitic lamprey with small eyes and seven pairs of gill openings. It has a dark greyish brown back and sides, and a pale grey or silvery white belly. (Photo: Lucas Foerster)

Contact: , Aquatic Biologist

Holiday Weekend Events

With the successful opening of our campground and day use area in April, the attention and energy of Fanshawe CA staff were recently focused on getting the property ready for the May long weekend, specifically the Fanshawe Optimist Fireworks Show, which was held on Monday, May 18th. After a somewhat rainy and cool start to the long weekend, fireworks day could not have been any better. Right from the start it was a sunny and cloudless day with a slight cool breeze, perfect for a night of fireworks! Many people took advantage of the beautiful weather and came out to the day use area in the afternoon for picnics and fun in the sun. The main crowd began arriving in the early evening, and when the show began around 9:45 pm the car count was well over the 1000 mark. Many thanks once again to London Police Services who were on site to assist with getting the “last minute” crowd in and then everyone out quickly and safely.

The big events being held at Fanshawe Conservation Area did not stop with the fireworks show. On Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th, the Fanshawe Yacht Club held their annual “open house.” Over the course of the weekend many people came out to tour the Yacht Club site and take part in sail boat rides on the reservoir. On May 23rd, the reservoir was also busy with the annual High School Rowing Regatta. There were many teams on the water and just as many spectators in the stands to watch the races. For both of these events, once again the weather could not have been better. I would be remiss to not mention the great work of Fanshawe Conservation Area’s Operations Technician, Brent Verscheure, on the water in the patrol boat controlling all this traffic and getting a little sun.

The last big event on the radar for park staff prior to the July long weekend was the annual Safety Village Birthday Party, held on June 7th. Many families came to tour the Safety Village, where children could ride the little battery powered cars, have their stuffed animals checked out at the “Teddy bear hospital,” get a new bicycle helmet, and basically have a lot fun. Thanks to park staff for assisting with the set up and take down for this event.

Contact: , Assistant Superintendent, Fanshawe Conservation Area

Ilderton Scouts proudly show off their newly planted tree at Arva’s Weldon Park.

Targeted Stewardship in the Medway Creek Watershed

The Friends of Medway Creek have been busy implementing stewardship projects this spring, targeting areas for priority work in the watershed north of London.

On a private landowner’s property near Granton, 520 native trees and shrubs and 1500 aquatic plants were planted in May by students from Prince Andrew Public School, Northridge Public School and Central Catholic High School. Funding was provided by the Shell Environmental Fund and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. This property was targeted because it is in the headwaters of the Medway watershed. The project will increase forest cover and improve water quality in a pond.

Further planting also occurred at Weldon Park in Arva, thanks to the London Community Foundation and Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program. These organizations not only provided funds for spring 2009, but will continue to fund plantings at Weldon Park throughout 2009-2010. Classes from Centennial Central Public School, Ryerson Public School, and Cleardale Public School, along with the Ilderton and Poplar Hill Scouts Troops, planted over 500 trees.

Contact: , Community Partnerships Specialist

Report Cards go International

Karen Maaskant recently gave a presentation at a conference in Sherbrooke, Quebec, called the “International Forum on Integrated Water Management: Tools for Action.” The conference, held June 1-3, had 500 participants from 23 countries including five Canadian provinces.

Karen presented on Conservation Authority Watershed Report Cards and how this process is used to improve local knowledge for decision-making and targeting implementation work.

In 2001 the UTRCA developed a process of reporting science and monitoring data on a small watershed scale using a Watershed Report Card format. This was used as a model in developing a standardized format for Watershed Report Cards that was adopted by Conservation Ontario council and is now used by many CAs across the province. Participants at the conference session were very interested in this approach to watershed reporting.

The conference was very informative and the French-English translators were very helpful! There was certainly a common theme among participants on the value of management and program delivery on a local watershed scale. Ontario’s Conservation Authorities are seen as a model for a number of countries and provinces (such as Quebec and Manitoba) that are in the process of developing watershed management programs and expertise.

Contact: , Water Quality Specialist

Congratulations!

Tony Jackson, UTRCA Director, received the Ontario Stewarship “Russ Piper Award” on June 2 at the Ontario Stewardship Banquet. This award is presented annually to the volunteer who has made a significant contribution to stewardship.

There are several volunteer recognition awards that can be used by peers to recognize one of their own members or volunteers or partners. The “Russ Piper Award” was started within the Ontario Stewardship program a few years ago to acknowledge the special contributions of the late Russ Piper. Russ was an executive member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and a Stewardship Councillor with the Norfolk Council. He also played a significant role in the implementation of the Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan and in fisheries management initiatives in the Thames River.

Tony Jackson (third from left) receives the Ontario Stewardship “Russ Piper” award. Also pictured are MNR Deputy Minister David Lindsay (far left), and Edie Piper, Russ’s widow (second from left).

Russ’s list of achievements is long; he touched the lives of many people through his involvement with resource stewardship and conservation. One of the people Russ touched was a younger Tony Jackson, who was strongly influenced by Russ’s quiet but meaningful efforts to ensure that natural resources were kept healthy and productive for future generations.

Contact: , Coordinator, Hydrology & Regulatory Services

Headwaters Workshop

Headwaters are generally considered to be the location or source where a river, stream, or creek begins. Currently, very little research or literature is available to define, identify or determine headwaters specific to Southern Ontario streams and conditions. Since there is very little information available, these headwaters have been virtually unstudied and, as a result, their form and function is likely underestimated.

With continued development pressures, there is the potential for great loss of headwater features on the landscape. Recent and recurrent issues have identified that headwaters in Southern Ontario are increasingly vulnerable to impacts such as conversion to closed surface drainage (piping), flow diversion, realignment, channelization and grade lowering, because they are considered small and might not flow year round.

A key issue with the loss of these headwaters is how this loss, which is often cumulative, directly or indirectly impacts the hydrology and aquatic habitats of the connected watercourses further downstream. Concerns related to the loss of headwaters are not new as an interim document that was recently updated was first written in the late 1990s.

Recognising the need for a collective understanding of headwater vulnerability, a workshop on headwaters was held on May 20 at the Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto. The workshop was intended for agency staff to share the results of recent scientific studies conducted to improve knowledge of the natural functions of headwater streams, to discuss the tools available for protecting headwaters streams, and to decide how to address remaining gaps in science, monitoring and policy. Several representatives from conservation authorities, consulting companies, the federal and provincial governments, non-profit organisations and universities attended the one day workshop.

Contact: , Aquatic Biology Technician, or , Land Use Regulations Officer

Innovative Nitrogen Management in Oxford

A new project in Oxford County will investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of innovative nitrogen management practices for crop producers, particularly as it relates to reducing nitrate levels in drinking water sources. This is the first time research of this type will be done in Ontario.

The purpose of the project is to identify positive practices that will protect Woodstock’s main drinking water source. A demonstration site will be used to assess the impact and effectiveness of new agricultural techniques on reducing nitrate levels in drinking water sources. The project will also analyze the costs and benefits of these techniques for crop producers.

The research will be conducted at the Thornton Well Field, which is located on the west side of Oxford Road 12, between Highway 401 and the Village of Sweaburg. This site was selected because it is owned by Oxford County and contains several groundwater production and monitoring wells. Research will be conducted during the 2009 growing season and repeated in 2010.

The project is being led by the County of Oxford in partnership with the University of Waterloo, the University of Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.

Funding for this project is provided by the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program of the Ministry of the Environment.

Contact: , Marketing Specialist

Tracy Annett, MCIP, RPP

Tracy Annett, currently off on a maternity leave, recently competed the requirements to become a Registered Professional Planner. To become a professional planner, a candidate must possess a planning or related degree and must log several years of applicable land use planning experience. The candidate must also fulfil course requirements and pass an entrance exam, to demonstrate their knowledge of professional practice and responsibilities, the principles of planning, and their commitment to the goals of the Ontario Professional Planning Institute.

Tracy has been with UTRCA since 1997. She plans on returning from maternity leave in September. Congratulations, Tracy!

Contact: , Coordinator, Hydrology & Regulatory Services

Students see how contaminants on the Earth’s surface can reach groundwater aquifers.

Water Festival Wraps Up

Over 2,000 students participated in more than 45 hands-on activities during the four-day Oxford Children’s Water Festival in late May, at Pittock Conservation Area. The students, their teachers and parent volunteers learned all about water – how to conserve and protect it, people’s attitudes towards it, and technology and science that focus on it.

The goal of the Oxford Children’s Water Festival was to provide a hands-on learning environment for students in grades 3 to 5 to discover the importance of water in their lives and in their communities.

Maintaining the quality and quantity of our groundwater and surface is extremely important for the future development of our communities and for the health and enjoyment of the residents. Educating youth about water and the environment is the perfect place to start doing this.

The Water Festival was made possible by financial and in-kind support of many organizations, businesses, agencies and volunteers. These include CAMI Automotive, Catholic Central High School, City of Woodstock, County of Oxford, Friends of Pittock, Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, Lions Clubs in Oxford County, Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Millennium Environmental Communities Oxford, TD Friends of the Environment, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Oxford County Pork Producers, Thames Valley District School Board, Trojan Technologies, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.

A BIG thanks to everyone who helped out with the planning and during the Oxford Children’s Water Festival at Pittock!

Preparations are already underway for next year’s festival, which returns to London.

Contact: , Water Festival Coordinator

On the Agenda

The following items will be presented at the UTRCA Board of Directors meeting on June 23, 2009. Click HERE for Board meeting minutes.

• Administration and Enforcement - Section 28 Report

• Friends of Ellice and Gads Hill Swamps Co-Management Pilot Project Proposal

• 2004 Strategic Plan: Progress Report

• UTRCA 2010-2014 Strategic Plan Terms of Reference

• 2010 Draft Budget Preparation

• Request for Proposals, Water and Erosion Control Projects 2009

• Building Committee Update

• Provincial Offences Officers – Canadian Firearms Safety Course/Exam and Ontario Hunter Education Course

Contact: , Executive Assistant

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