Communities for Nature

December 30, 2008

Connecting People and the Thames River

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is growing their new Communities for Nature program to meet increasing interest in the Thames River. Communities up and down the Thames are turning their focus to helping nature and the river.

What was accomplished along the Thames River in 2008?

Communities for Nature made a significant positive impact on the Thames River watershed this year. Approximately 21 acres were naturalized across the watershed. Communities planted 12,190 native trees, 7,400 aquatic plants, and 3,250 wildflower and prairie grass plugs, and also spread wildflower and prairie grass seeds over two acres.

In addition to the Communities for Nature program, the UTRCA worked with private landowners to plant 65,000 trees in rural parts of the watershed.

How many people were involved?

More than 7,200 people were involved including 63 schools. Participants included 4,800 students throughout weekdays, and 2,400 community members at weekend events.

Which communities were involved?

Communities for Nature Projects in 2008:

Ingersoll
CAMI Flyer Park Soccer Association
CAMI Property
Centennial Park
Garnett Elliott Park
Harris Heights Public School
Smith Pond
St Judes Catholic School
London
Fanshawe Sugar Bush pit
Gren Stormwater Management (SWM) Pond
London Life employees
Norlan Ave and Thames River
Northridge SWM Pond
Plane Tree Park
Princess Anne Public School
Prodeus property in Medway Creek
Sifton Properties employees at Greenway Park
Sisters of St Joseph residence
St Julien Park
Stoneybrook Crescent area
Stoney Creek Meadow Park
Trees for Woodfield
Try Recycling
Westminster Ponds ESA
Woodstock
230 Truck Stop
Burgess Park
Commerce Way SWM Pond
Munnoch SWM Pond
St Marys
Trout Creek/Town of St Marys
Wildwood Conservation Area
Stratford
Baldoor Dodge
Cooper Standard
Stratford Recreation Centre
Dingman Creek
Albert Betz property
Chris and Andrew Brown property
Medway Creek
Weldon Park (Arva)
Oxbow Creek
Wayne Stoner property
Thamesford
Thamesford Public School and Thamesford Arena
Uniondale
Askew property near Wildwood Conservation Area

Who helped pay for Communities for Nature?

Funding sources for the program were as varied as the projects. In order to make all of the planting possible, funding came from: CAMI Environmental Fund, Canadian Auto Workers, Canadian Building Materials, City of London, City of Woodstock, Earth Day Canada, Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program, Evans Funeral Home, Logan Funeral Home, London Community Foundation, London Garden Club, McIlwraith Field Naturalists Bequest Fund, Municipality of Middlesex Centre, Oxford County Naval Veterans Association, R.D. Longworth Funeral Home, Sifton Properties, Sisters of St Joseph, St. Julien Park Revitalization Committee, Suncor Energy Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (Woodstock and London branches), Thames Centre constituents, Town of Ingersoll, Town of St. Marys, Tree Canada Foundation, Zorra Township.

Which organizations helped make Communities for Nature happen?

Special thank you to the many UTRCA planting partners: CAMI, City of London, City of Stratford, City of Woodstock, Earth Day Canada, Evans Funeral Home, Friends of Dingman Creek, Friends of Medway Creek, Friends of Oxbow Creek, Friends of Pittock Park, Friends of Stoney Creek, Ingersoll Communities in Bloom, Ingersoll Home Hardware, Ingersoll Rotary Club, Ingersoll Scouts and Cubs, Ingersoll Soccer Association, Logan Funeral Home, London and District Catholic School Board, Municipality of Middlesex Centre, Municipality of Thames Centre, R.D. Longworth Funeral Home, Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Julien Park Revitalization Committee, Suncor Energy Foundation, Thames Valley District School Board, Town of Ingersoll, Town of St Marys, Zorra Township.

In 2009, the UTRCA will continue to grow the Communities for Nature initiatives throughout the Thames watershed.

Please contact the UTRCA to get involved!

Help do good things for your community, nature, and the Thames River.

Contact: Karen Pugh, Resource Specialist