Exert from (PDF document )'Removal of Himalayan Blackberry in the Bowker Creek Headwaters'

The Bowker Creek Headwaters is located on the western side of the University of Victoria’s campus, just outside of Ring Road. The area encompasses 5.7 ha (14 acres), surrounding UVic landmarks such as the Fraser building and University Club (Harrop-Archibald, 2007). Bowker Creek, which flows southeast from the headwaters, follows an 8km path entering the ocean in the municipality of Oak Bay, close to the Oak Bay Marina (CRD, 2003). Today, the creek is very highly urbanized as only 2.5km of the creek’s 8km channel runs above ground, with the remaining being diverted through pipes and culverts (CRD, 2003). Being one of the largest watersheds in the region, university staff have worked to revitalize this urbanized area through creek clean ups and riparian restoration projects (Harrop-Archibald, 2007). 

CRD Bowker Creek Urban Renewal Initiative 

Bowker Creek is one of four watersheds of which the Gordon Head campus is a part. Starting in 2002, UVic has been involved in the CRD Bowker Creek Urban Renewal Initiative. Both long-term and short-term plans were created to help realize this project. The initiative involves the municipality of Sannich, Oak Bay, and Victoria, all of which have the goal of improving the overall health of the system. This act of restoration has four main goals in mind: to take responsibility for the actions that have affected the watershed, to manage storm water flows, to expand public areas along the creek, and to protect of the watershed from pollution. Ongoing cleanup projects in and around the area have university staff keeping busy. The steering committee is also currently involved in putting up interpretive signage in various areas of the creek, including the headwaters.
(Written by: Shaun Wagantall)

Photo by: Shaun Wagantall