Welcome to the
Bowker Creek Initiative
The Bowker Creek Initiative is a collaboration between local governments, community groups, post-secondary institutions and private citizens to improve the health of Bowker Creek and its watershed.
new Upcoming events/volunteer opportunities
Bowker Creek Pennant Printing Workshop Saturday April 24 (see below for details)
A fun and easy way to make printed pennants to display around your home, in your yard and neighbourhood. Learn about what it means to live in an urban watershed and create art to celebrate Bowker Creek. No previous experience necessary.
What: You will learn the basic steps of relief printmaking to make your own colourful cloth pennants.
When: Saturday, April 24th, 12 to 3 pm
Where: Oaklands Community Centre, 2827 Belmont Street.
Why: Because you live in a watershed and would like to have fun making art with friends and neighbours.
Wear: Clothes for making artwork. You will be working with water-soluble printing inks.
All materials are supplied. Tea, juice and cookies will be provided.
This workshop is funded by aCommunity Arts Program, Artist-in-Residence (AIR)grant from the City of Victoria, and sponsored by the North Jubilee Neighbourhood Association and the Bowker Creek Initiative. Workshop Coordinator, graphic artist, and North Jubilee resident, Soren Henrich and assistants will lead the workshop.
R.S.V.P.shenrich@shaw.ca For more information call Soren Henrich, at (250) 370-4365.
Invasive species removal Sunday May 2nd at Monteith St
This is a riparian restoration project to restore the creek to a more natural and healthy condition. We really need help!!
What: removing roots of blackberry, ivy and other invasive plants
When: Sunday May 2nd, 10 am – noon.
Where: along the creek at Monteith Street near Cranmore Road (near Beach Drive in Oak Bay) see map
Why: to plant native trees and shrubs
Oak Bay Parks has mowed the blackberry and other weedy vegetation on the site, and loosened up the blackberry roots. Now we need to do lots of hand work to get those blackberry roots out of the ground before we replant with native vegetation. We will provide work gloves, tools and snacks; wear sturdy shoes and work clothes.
If you can’t make it on May 2nd you’ll be hearing about future opportunities. We plan to have work parties every 3 weeks through the spring. Please let us know if your club, school or group would like to come down for a work party this season.
For information and questions, contact Kitty Lloyd at klloyd@crd.bc.ca
Bowker Creek Blueprint
We had a very successful open house on January 23, 2010, and another successful event - the Bowker Creek Forum - on February 23.
See presentations from the Bowker Creek Forum on YouTube.
We have great public support for our final draft of the Bowker Creek Blueprint. Thanks for your interest and comments! If you'd like to see the Blueprint, you can download it at the bottom of this page.
See 'Water Bucket' stories about the Bowker Creek Blueprint
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take the survey - shelbourne corridor
Bowker Creek runs underground through the Shelbourne Valley, otherwise known as the Shelbourne Corridor. The District of Saanich has started a planning process to improve this area over the long term, and changes under this plan can improve the health of Bowker Creek.
Take the Survey to provide your input
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new Rainwater runoff the key to a green city
News article, Times Colonist March 17, 2010new The pollution problem we can't save for a rainy day.
News article, Globe and Mail, March 7, 2010
Bowker Creek BlueprinT
A 100-year action plan to restore the Bowker Creek watershed
Download the whole Bowker Creek Blueprint (PDF 
) ( 6.5 MB)
Download the Table of Contents and Executive Summary only
Bowker Creek Blueprint - Download by Section:
Cover
Report body Sections 1-3
Report Body Sections 4-5
Report Body Sections 6-9
Watershed Map - current conditions
Watershed Map - 100-year vision
100-year stream corridor vision diagram
100-year watershed management vision diagram
Appendices A&B - detailed recommendations for the watershed and creek channel
Appendix C - detailed creek restoration prescriptoins for above-ground sections
Appendices D&E - water quality and watershed health monitoring
The Bowker Creek Stewardship Pledge is now online. Take the pledge!
Read our 2008 Annual Report (PDF )
In 2008, we were awarded funding from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, to restore the creekside riparian area near Monteith Street in Oak Bay. As part of the site rehabilitation, this neglected property will become a community amenity with a limited number of garden plots. Your input and volunteer support is welcome, and needed! Implementation has been delayed, but in Spring 2010 we will need significant volunteer help to remove ivy and plant native plants. Funding support for this project is also provided by the District of Oak Bay and the Bowker Creek Initiative.
Read The Bowker Creek Homeowner's Guide (PDF ). This short newsletter gives tips for homeowners living in this or any urban watershed, describing practical ways to reduce pollution and runoff and improve biodiversity and creek health. Urban watersheds need everyone's help to become healthy, and each person can make a difference!
See the Flickr photo gallery for Bowker Creek (link) or add your own photo