Two swamps within the UTRCA are being recognized as Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada.
DORCHESTER/STRATFORD - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has become the eighth conservation authority to have lands recognized as Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada.
Terrestial Biologist Cathy Quinlan says this is a huge honour.
"We're very happy to be amongst the first to do it and hopefully other conservation areas that are working towards long term protection will be recognized in the future. Someone has to lead the way and I'm glad we were one of them."
Ellice Swamp and Dorchester Swamp have both met the criteria for lands that count towards Canada’s Biodiversity Goals. Quinlan says it's a very rigorous screening process in order to be recognized and she's glad the UTRCA was able to get out of the starting gates early.
She says both of the wetlands have a lot of great functions for society.
"They hold rain water, prevent flooding, purify the ground water and they offer large habitats for species that need large habitats to complete their cycles."
Ellice Swamp is actually the largest natural area in the UTRCA and Perth County with over 1,000 hectares. It's located north of Stratford while Dorchester Swamp is located south of Dorchester and east of London.

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