We look for opportunities for riparian habitat restoration, invasive plant removal, garbage cleanup, planting native plants for Bowker Creek (also known as Thaywun).
Friends of Bowker Creek Members (including FoBC Streamkeepers – Chum Salmon Recovery project volunteers)
We are very pleased to announce some new opportunities for FoBC Members, FoBC Streamkeepers, FoBC Watershed Stewards action groups, and other Friends of Bowker Creek work. Take a look at the following options and tell us which ones you would like to join in or know more about.
Insurance coverage requires a paid membership. Please join the Friends of Bowker Creek Society or update your annual membership here to participate in FoBCS volunteer work projects.
Habitat Restoration Work Sessions 2023
MUST be a member of Friends of Bowker Creek Society which means that you are covered by our volunteer insurance policy. You can also renew your membership here.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and to make new acquaintances!
1000 RAIN GARDENS project “Flying Squad”
Friends of Bowker Creek is working toward 1000 rain gardens in the creek’s catchment area. Rain gardens help to restore Bowker Creek’s health by keeping stormwater out of the storm sewer system and letting it filter through the ground. See the website pages at: https://bowkercreek.org/1000-rain-gardens/
The “flying squad” is a team that is learning to advise property owners about rain gardens and help with design, installation and maintenance. We will also offer education about rain gardens and Green Stormwater Management in classrooms and at community events, as well as gathering data to build a rain gardens map on the Friends of Bowker Creek website. We are all learning together because these are new capacities that Friends of Bowker Creek is just beginning to develop. Contact Gerald to learn more at: geralddh@pacificcoast.net .
Bowker Creek Restoration at Browning Park in Saanich
There will be a Pulling Together Power Hour at Browning Park, every Wednesday evening for the month of August from 6:30-7:30 PM.
Look for Glenn near the bridge.
Hi Everyone!
First off, thanks so much to everyone who has been coming out and pulling together so far this year. We’ve made some great progress!!
I just wanted to give some advance notice about our upcoming events for the month of August so you can all pop them in your calendars.
So here’s what we are planning for August:
- Wednesday August 2 – 6:30 – 7:30PM – POWER HOUR!!
- Wednesday August 9 – 6:30 – 7:30PM – POWER HOUR!!
- Wednesday August 16 – 6:30 – 7:30PM – POWER HOUR!!
- Wednesday August 23 – 6:30 – 7:30PM – POWER HOUR!!
- Wednesday August 30 – 6:30 – 7:30PM – POWER HOUR!!
Our goals for August will be to:
- Continue to spread mulch on our cleared areas getting them ready for fall plantings
- Ring some of the trees with ivy
- Retreat areas already cleared
We hope to see you soon!
Glenn (and Ronna)
For information on upcoming creek restoration work at Browning Park, please contact: rgbartley@gmail.com
Bowker Creek Restoration at the Oak Bay High School pathway site:
Come and meet up with old friends and make new ones; enjoy a few hours of socializing and pulling invasive vegetation, behind the Oak Bay High School, along the Bowker Creek Pathway.
For information about the upcoming volunteer sessions at the Oak Bay High School pathway site, contact: Jacquie.Bird@outlook.com
Upcoming 2023 dates:
All sessions start at 10am and go to noon
July 16th and 30th
August 13th (Bowker Creek Artists Brush Up) and 27th
September 10th and 24th
October 15th and 29th
November 26th
We look forward to having previous volunteers back and meeting new ones.
Tool and gloves provided – although you are welcome to bring your own.
Bowker Creek Restoration in Oak Bay – Duck Pond and Monteith Sites
Brandon hosts riparian habitat restoration sessions approximately 1-2 times per month as part of the Chum Salmon Recovery Project. Upcoming sessions will be posted here. Work is done throughout the lower reaches of Bowker Creek with an emphasis on the duck ponds along Oak Bay’s Bowker Creek Walkway. The schedule is irregular but Brandon sends notices of work sessions at least 4-5 days in advance to his email list of volunteers. Please contact Brandon at: brandonw16@live.ca to be added to the email list and notify him if you would like to join for an upcoming session. He will send a notice to volunteers in the event of a cancellation.
Bowker Creek Riparian Restoration at Monteith Street in Oak Bay
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month, 1:00-3:00 pm
Join us in restoring streambank habitat in the most natural section of the stream. Meet at the creek where it passes under Monteith Street to the east of Firefighters Park. Tools supplied. Bring your own mug for tea-time after the work session. We’d love to see you there! Contact: geralddh@pacificcoast.net
Water Quality Sampling in Bowker Creek
We sample Bowker Creek’s water quality twice a month, and welcome reports of any problems that people notice at other times.
The routine sampling takes a group of 3 people 1-2 hours to cover three sites in the Oak Bay section of the Creek. Additional volunteers are always welcome, and we will train you to sample and record the data, and optionally to lead groups once you have some experience. Contact Eldan [eg@eldang.xyz] with any questions or to get on the volunteers list, and see https://app.waterrangers.ca/groups/friends-of-bowker-creek-salmon-recovery for locations and the specific things we measure.
If you ever notice a water quality problem, please notify us [friendsofbowkercreek+waterquality@gmail.com], with as precise a location and time as you can. Photos are also always helpful, as is reporting the issue via Water Rangers [https://app.waterrangers.ca/groups/friends-of-bowker-creek-salmon-recovery]. Contact Eldan [eg@eldang.xyz] if you have any questions about Water Rangers or would be interested in a training session about how to report issues there.
Cedar Hill Park Volunteer Opportunity
Every Monday morning from 9:00 am until 12 noon
Cedar Hill Park is in the Bowker Creek watershed and is a headwater source for Bowker Creek. The Friends of Cedar Hill Park have been active in maintaining the natural areas of the Park since 2006. Their work is done in the natural areas of the Park outside golf course boundaries under the Saanich Pulling Together Volunteer Program.
Join weekly invasive species removal at preplanned areas of the park, under the direction of Lead Steward, Jim Moores every Monday morning from 9:00 am until 12 noon.
This is the link that shows where you can find the work site on Monday mornings from 9 to noon. Please go to the meeting point, or let them know if you would like to join the FoCHPS through their email address: FriendsofCedarHillPark@gmail.com.
Survey for Forage Fish in the Bowker Creek Estuary
We welcome Sabine Rankin as leader of the forage fish survey crew. Sabine invites new volunteers for sampling sessions on beaches near the mouth of the creek. Come join in valuable Salish Sea research by contacting Sabine at: sabinerankin@gmail.com
The BEACH program https://peninsulastreams.ca/beach-program/ with Peninsula Streams and Shorelines Society studies Salish Sea populations of small fish that provide important food sources for salmon. Surf Smelt and Pacific Sand Lance spawn on beaches above the low tide line. Our crew works at low tide collecting samples from beach sand that might contain eggs. Sabine will train new members. Participate in citizen science and experience the beach in a whole new way!