By Al Lubkowsk, Camosum Community Association

During the workshops held last year, we heard that "educational uses" for the Richmond School property should be considered of highest importance to the community. Furthermore, that non-school uses or development on the north-east side should be permitted only on the condition that ...CONTINUE...

Article from Camosun Community Association March 2008 Newsletter. To download the complete newletter please click here.

Posted on:
April 8, 2008

• Listen to a CFAX radio interview from March 27 2008. 38 Minutes, 34 MB (MP3 file) (commercial-free)
• Read the March 5th, 2008 "Up the Creek" newspaper article published in the Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay News

Posted on:
April 2, 2008

By Kim Westad
Times Colonist

A study of Bowker Creek got a much-needed financial shot in the arm yesterday with $50,000 from the province that will allow it to move into its second phase.
"This is really significant," said Jody Watson, chairwoman of the CRD's Bowker Creek Initiative...CONTINUE...

Posted on:
August 18, 2007

Bringing Back Bowker

By Joanne Penhale
News staff

Is climate change affecting Bowker Creek?

As the Bowker Creek Initiatve considers the future of the creek, it is also taking into account possible climate change. "We're preparing for more rain," said program co-ordinator Tanis Douglas. "The consensus is that there's a strong possibility of increased precipitation."...CONTINUE...

Posted on:
July 20, 2007

Tree Removal Stirs Up Bowker Creek Neighbours

By Amy Dove
Oak Bay News

Trees on watch list for more than 25 years: arbourist.
The controversial removal of nine cottonwood trees from the Bowker Creek area is delayed, pending a second opinion. The trees were slated to be removed today (July 7)...CONTINUE...

Posted on:
July 07, 2007

Creek Damage Finally Fixed

By Tara Carman
News staff

Flooding caused tens of thousands in damage to Monteith Street property
There are several groups trying to figure out how to increase the flow of Bowker Creek, but Janet Tudor wouldn't mind if the water receded a little...CONTINUE...

Posted on:
May 16, 2007

Thank You Volunteers!

Thank you all the volunteers that have helped with two recent Bowker Creek events:

1. On Saturday May 5th, members of the North Jubliee Neighbourhood Association and other community volunteers did maintenance work on the restoration site at St Patrick's School. Thanks to Gerald Harris for organizing this event. Read more about the restoration here
2. On Saturday April 28th, Andrea Gleichauf of the Camosun Community Association organized a successful clean-up of Browning Park. Volunteers combed the park and Bowker Creek and removed an assortment of garbage including a car battery that was polluting the creek.

Thanks everyone for volunteering! Your contributions directly help to improve the health of Bowker Creek and our communities.

Posted on:
May 5, 2007

Winning the Battle in Douglas Creek

The Douglas Creek Watershed borders the northern side of the Bowker Creek Watershed. Read about how salmon are returning to the creek - something that hasn’t been recorded since the fish disappeared close to 50 years ago.

“It’s the Douglas Creek miracle – it really is,” Bob Bridgeman said while standing ankle deep in the creek the Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society spent the last 11 years restoring.

Read the Saanich News article here

Posted on:
May 4, 2007

Success! Richmond School Lands to Stay in Public Sector

The Greater Victoria School Board is restricting the sale of the former Richmond Elementary School to public-sector bidders. The School District 61 Operations Policy and Planning Committee have determined three main criteria when dealing with the potential sale of Richmond School:

1. Keep the land in the Public Domain.
2. The importance of Bowker Creek.
3. Publicly accessible greenspace.

Read the Times Colonist Article about it here

Read More:

• Visit the Camosun Community Association's Richmond School webpage here
• March 3, 2007 letter submitted to SD 61 by the Community Coalition.
• Feb 22, 2007 letter submitted to SD 61 by the Bowker Creek Initiative
• Feb 9, 2007 letter submitted to SD 61 by the Community Coalition

Posted on:
April 28, 2007

The Bowker Creek Urban Watershed Renewal Initiative requested that the Saanich Shelborne Local Area Plan be amended to designate additional lands as future park and open space. These lands have been identified as possible or potential sites which may be appropriate to address a variety of interests including stormwater management, creek restoration, green space needs and greenways connections.

After the April 17th Public Hearing, Saanich Council approved the amendment. Councillor Derman moved and Councillor Wergeland seconded: "That the Shelborne Local Area Plan be amended to include a revised Map 7.1 identifying additional lands as 'Potential Park/Open Space'."

This important amendment reflects the desire of the local community - a community that values natural features such as Bowker Creek. Thank you to all of the people that came out to speak in support of this proposal, and many thanks go out to the Saanich staff that worked hard on making this amendment a success. Saanich Council is making the right decisions to help enhance the health of Bowker Creek and our communities.

Read the staff report on this amendment here.

Posted on:
April 28, 2007

Green Waters Rising

Take a journey down Bowker Creek, where environmental visions run into gritty urban reality.

On the pond behind the University of Victoria's faculty club, mallard ducks float peacefully in the shade. Cattails stretch above the glassy waters at one end while rhododendrons and other introduced species dot the shore. Beside a concrete patio, where it's easy to imagine academics in tweed and turtlenecks gabbing over glasses of wine, a gentle gurgling announces the presence of Bowker Creek.

Continue reading Monday Magazine's feature article here (PDF 803kb)

Posted on:
April 24, 2007

Richmond School:
Loss of School Land Worries Neighbours

Trustees told in no uncertain terms that property valued at $5.2 million must stay in public trust

By Louise Dickson
Times Colonist

In no uncertain terms, people who live near Richmond Elementary School property told the Greater Victoria school board they don't want to lose their community backyard ...CONTINUE...

Posted on:
April 14, 2007

On Saturday March 31st the Friends of Bowker Creek and community volunteers came out to help complete a bioengineering prescription on Bowker Creek, at Monteith Street in Oak Bay (across from Fireman's park). This is the location of an allotment garden plot owned by Oak Bay municipality.

This is the third section of Bowker Creek to receive bioengineering treatment, and the first time it has been applied in Oak Bay. Staff from the District of Oak Bay were a significant help in this project and their participation is appreciated. Read more and view pictures here

Posted on: March 31, 2007

There is now just a stump beside Bowker Creek where a large Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) use to be. This Black Cottonwood was important for the health of Bowker Creek for many reasons. It helped to stabilize the stream bank in a creek that is prone to erosion. The tree provided protection for the aquatic environment by helping to maintain low water temperatures through shading. The high nitrate uptake and extensive rooting helped to buffer the bank and improve water quality. Bald Eagles, owls and woodpeckers prefer such large cottonwood trees for roosting, nesting, or foraging.

Of all BC's broad leafed trees, the Black Cottonwood is the tallest (up to 50m). It was the height of this large tree that resulted in it being cut down. Removing the tree improved helicopter access to the nearby Royal Jubilee Hospital. For more information on this please read Camosun Community Association's article found here

The 8m high trunk that remains will still provide some important values as a wildlife tree. Black Cottonwood ecosystems are becoming exceedingly rare across British Columbia, especially in areas such as in the Okangan. Read more: Cottonwood Riparian Ecosystems of the Southern Interior

Posted on: March 12, 2007

Another goal achieved: Bowker Creek channel marker signs have been installed! The signs have been placed throughout the watershed at locations such as road crossings. Look for the new signs when you go for a walk or bike along the creek.

The signs will help foster public awareness of Bowker Creek and reinforce the objectives of the Bowker Creek Watershed Management Plan (pdf 2.4mb). The sign design complements the larger interpretive signs that have already been installed at Bowker Creek Park, the Spirit Garden, Mount Tolmie and at UVic.

The sign elements—including the creek, wildlife, dragon fly, single-family homes and apartments—are intended to reflect and acknowledge the creek’s distinctively urban context and contribution to healthy communities.

Posted on:
Feb 16, 2007