Written By Jeffrey Reed
LondonOntarioSports.com announces Fanshawe Conservation Area winner of the 2026 Community Spirit Award, established in 2025 and recognizing Southwestern Ontario individuals and groups who change and better the lives of others through sports, leisure and recreation.
An oasis resting within the extreme northeast corner of London, Fanshawe Conservation Area is operated by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario. It’s home to the Thames River, Fanshawe Dam (opened in 1952), its hydroelectric plant and the man-made Fanshawe Lake; 30 kilometres of walking trails–the Tamarack, Meadow and Pond hiking trails, plus 21-kilometre Fanshawe Lake trail; 20 kilometres of biking trails; fishing, boating and sailing; bird watching; Fanshawe Campground; picnic areas and playgrounds; and Fanshawe Pioneer Village.
As a youngster growing up in London’s Huron Heights neighbourhood, I spent most of my teenage years with friends and most of my leisure time at the conservation area, where I enjoyed a number of outdoor activities–all of which provided me with a healthy lifestyle, plus appreciation of and respect for the land.
In total, Fanshawe Conservation Area spans about 2,000 acres and is home to four full-time staff and 31 part-time/seasonal employees. The Fanshawe Outdoor Education Centre is a hub of environmental knowledge for school groups, as well as Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts and 4H during most of the year.
Of course, Fanshawe Dam is the most visible Fanshawe element. Severe floods in London in 1883, and in particular in 1937, spurred a need for the dam which has reduced damages from significant floods at least a dozen times during the past 50 years. The hydroelectric plant at the dam’s base generates enough power to run 400 households. The crest of the dam is 625 metres long. It is 30.5 metres in height and drops the river surface 12 metres.
“The team at Fanshawe Conservation Area is honoured to have received the LondonOntarioSports.com Community Spirit Award,” said Fanshawe’s superintendent Jay Ebel. “We are one of three conservation areas that the UTRCA owns and operates in the watershed. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming space for all, including residents of London and visitors from further away. UTRCA aims to reach people with its conservation messaging and Fanshawe is a perfect venue for people to foster and share their love of nature.”
It is so important now to recognize the positive impact Fanshawe Conservation Area continues to make on our community. The Province’s plan to amalgamate 36 conservation authorities into seven would see our eight area authorities merged into one authority: the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority.
It is important, then, to realize the unique complexity and offerings of Fanshawe Conservation Authority. It truly is a local natural gem.
Award-winning writer Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of
LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
