Bowker Creek Streamkeepers
Volunteers with the Bowker Creek Streamkeepers work in the riparian restoration sites in Oak Bay by removing invasive plants and planting native plants to support the Chum Salmon Recovery and Biodiversity Corridor projects. The Friends of Bowker Creek volunteers record water quality data from sampling sites in Oak Bay and Saanich.
Water Quality Sampling
Water quality sampling in Bowker Creek is citizen science data-gathering. Volunteers sample Bowker Creek’s water quality twice a month. Routine sampling takes a group of three people 1-2 hours to cover three sites in the Oak Bay section of the creek. Sampling also takes place in the open reach of the creek at Browning Park. Over time, dedicated record-keeping by citizen volunteers provides information for condition assessment that informs development and watershed restoration. New volunteers are always welcome! Volunteers will be shown how to sample and record observations and data on the Friends of Bowker Creek Water Rangers Project page. If you have any questions about Water Rangers or are interested in a training session about how to participate in the Water Rangers Project, please send us an email.
If you see pollution in the creek
It helps to have eyes on the creek! We welcome reports of pollution that people notice at any time. If you see a water quality problem, please send us an email with as precise a location and time as you can. Early detection of pollution sources can help municipal authorities make quick remediation responses. Photos with a record of the date and time of the incident are always helpful.